2016 Declutter and Get Organized Thread

[debthaven]

We should start a new thread ... the 2016 Slackers Club. 

I'm still hoping to get through my clothing shelves tomorrow. I was going to see my friend but we had a last-minute birthday party invitation so I'm not sure I'll make it there tomorrow. It's Sunday so I'm sure she'll have lots of visitors.

[Ombud]

Contractor is coming out tomorrow to give me the bad news. I only have 4k that has to cover him & Coit otherwise it's on the cc

[Deleted]

Jan 2, 2016 18:27:55 GMT -5 debthaven said:

We should start a new thread ... the 2016 Slackers Club. 

I was thinking I could be president even before you posted!  Or maybe it was the 2016 Backsliders Club because I did a little shopping today.  It was Christmas wrapping paper.  I tried really hard to use up every bit of this year, and I almost succeeded.  But now I have six more rolls. 

I did lesson plans yesterday, Knee Deep in Water Chloe.  I knew it would ruin today and tomorrow if it was hanging over me.  Monday is a quiet work day for them, reading and writing.  Both the students and I need to ease back into the routine.

Today I washed tablecloths and bedding.  I am going to go work on my ironing (work clothes) in a minute. 

You sure I'm allowed to post in this thread?  My to-do list isn't even a poor relation of you guys'.

[debthaven]

Ombed, what on earth is Coit? I've been wondering ...

[debthaven]

Susannah, good job getting that paper on sale! 

I went through my bottom shelf (summer dresses and leggings/house pants) and got rid of nothing.

I also went through my pj / nightgown drawer in the dresser. I only got rid of one pair of pjs, but at least the new pair I got for Christmas fits inside now. That has been bugging me since Christmas.

ETA: I finished my 3 clothing shelves ... in the end I filled up a medium-sized bag; it's by the door ready to be taken to the donation bin.

[megaptera]

I'm in. Again. Well, I'm going to try again at least.  Last year at this time, I thought we were going to be in the process of moving about this time. Permitting and other stuff is taking a little lot longer than I anticipated (doesn't it always?); now I'm thinking it will be closer to Spring-ish 2017 before we move.

I don't really have any specific goals; some general ones I would like to accomplish are:

1. Decluttering and getting rid of as much "stuff" as possible during the year.

2. Getting the current house ready to sell. This includes the Number 1 goal and some (a lot) of house maintenance and minor remodeling.

3. Cooking more. I love to cook, but I've become a bit lazy in the past couple of months, and we've been eating out more than I care to admit. Specifically, I need to plan meals. I buy in bulk, but I planning will help me to remember to take the meat out of the freezer, or soak the beans the night before, etc.

4. The kids' rooms need some serious, hard-core cleaning and decluttering.

Maybe I need to try with a couple of small tasks each weekend. For this weekend (what's left of it), I will take down and put away the Christmas stuff and write up the kids' monthly learning plans for the school.

I didn't do very well at checking in here last year, but I'm really going to try this year!

[jenpen]

Update for Saturday, then I'm off to get some dinner, relax a bit and go to bed early.  Apparently, I really do not want to do my work-related stuff.  In addition to everything I got done on the HOME front, I slipped in a 45 min walk and spent about 45 minutes playing with and brushing the kittens. 

To-do for today and Sunday:
WORK:
- finish 2 PRISM tasks
- make sure WIHS64 is in demo and email project manager to test it
- figure out solution for WIHS9 and email project manager proposed solution
- review S's request for position reclassification, write up response/recommendation
- email our Employee-Management relations liaison to request meeting re: S and ongoing problems w/their performance
- go through work emails and pull out additional to-do's
- start work on setting up new laptop - installing software and transferring files from old laptop

HOME:
- launder bedding (wash, dry, put back on bed) - done
- launder comforter - washed, and mostly dry. It's hanging to finish drying and will go back on the bed last thing tonight
- launder afghan - I may just run this in the dryer for 30-60 minutes tomorrow.  It isn't "dirty", but the cats were on it a few times before their ringworm diagnosis. I think the dryer will kill any spores they may have left on it.
- put away clothes that were hung to dry overnight - done
- load of whites - wash and hang to dry - sweaters are hung to finish drying, the rest I'm letting the machine finish and will put away when I go up to bed
- run tub-clean cycle on washer, drain, and clean filter
- iron shirt
- patch jeans x 2
- empty upstairs wastebaskets - done
- clean up breakfast - done
- run dishwasher, put dishes away - done
- scour kitchen sink and counters - done
- scour stove top - done
- clean coffee maker and microwave - done
- dot entry rug
- bring runner back down and dot it
- empty 3-drawer storage unit and bring downstairs - done
- move all the kitten's stuff (food,toys,grooming,etc) from the kitchen counter into the drawers - done
- make space to keep the drawers in the kitchen 'closet' - done
- empty bookcase in spare room and fill w/books that are now in bags on the stair landing  - done

In addition to the couple bags of books, I cleaned up the 3 full bookcases on the stair landing, went through everything that was still on the floor there, plus a few stacks of things in the spare room. Put most things away or at least put them back in the spare room now that the cats aren't living--and spewing ringworm spores all over--in there.  Also got rid of enough stuff to fill one small bag of trash.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 2, 2016 16:28:38 GMT -5 PauletteG said:

I vow to be more disciplined in cleaning, decluttering and organizing. I have two slothy gaming space cadets who have low executive functioning skills (i.e. "Will it benefit me to do this now? Yes? In that case I will neglect this action until she blows up at me" brain cycles). I am not much better, only in that I get fed up earlier and put more things away. 

I tried the "put five items away in the kitchen every time I enter". Remembering the "waiter" trick of entering one room to put something away and removing another item from that room is too problematic. I printed a 52-week declutter challenge the first week of 2015 and put it on my sanctum door. It's still there, unfilled.

I need help. Flylady's output is too much for me. Maybe a RSS feed reader for UfYH (Two of the three words here are "Your Habitat"), the most remedial for the near-hoarders or too-depressed-to-clean types. I need help in the "what's attainable, what's retainable, you are retrainable" department.

Has anyone with my pathological attention deficit done well with Marie Kondo's decluttering system?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I am not new to decluttering. I do look at my state Attorney General's website every three months or so for a list of "shredding days" and a big recycle electronics+batteries+furniture+books event once a year. I'm just not good at scheduling or long-term planning anymore.

For Flylady's output, do you mean the quantity of emails each day? If so, there's a way to set it so you only get one email each day. It's called Flylady Lite. 

For me, I know that once I got my house decluttered and established my cleaning schedule and daily routines, it became SO MUCH EASIER to maintain a clean house than it ever was to get the house clean. 




Best wishes for you!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 2, 2016 19:11:20 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

Jan 2, 2016 18:27:55 GMT -5 debthaven said:

We should start a new thread ... the 2016 Slackers Club. 

I was thinking I could be president even before you posted!  Or maybe it was the 2016 Backsliders Club because I did a little shopping today.  It was Christmas wrapping paper.  I tried really hard to use up every bit of this year, and I almost succeeded.  But now I have six more rolls. 

I did lesson plans yesterday, Knee Deep in Water Chloe .  I knew it would ruin today and tomorrow if it was hanging over me.  Monday is a quiet work day for them, reading and writing.  Both the students and I need to ease back into the routine.

Today I washed tablecloths and bedding.  I am going to go work on my ironing (work clothes) in a minute. 

You sure I'm allowed to post in this thread?  My to-do list isn't even a poor relation of you guys'.

I've done about 25 hours of work since Dec 21. It's impossible to be completely caught up, but I do feel ready for week at least. We're going to have a bit of a quiet day tomorrow also. 


And in regards to your list not being good, do you mean it's too short or too long? I can make it longer if you need! I'm fantastic at making lists. 

[WholeLottaNothin]

I started strong with the decluttering yesterday but last night DH's grandpa passed away so we spent most of today away from home. Going to be back at it tomorrow!

[Jaguar]

Jan 2, 2016 21:57:39 GMT -5 WholeLottaNothin said:

I started strong with the decluttering yesterday but last night DH's grandpa passed away so we spent most of today away from home. Going to be back at it tomorrow!

My condolences on your loss.

[taz157]

Jan 2, 2016 21:57:39 GMT -5 WholeLottaNothin said:

I started strong with the decluttering yesterday but last night DH's grandpa passed away so we spent most of today away from home. Going to be back at it tomorrow!

I'm sorry for your loss.

[startsmart]

did pretty good today with my first drop off of the year with 46 items to Goodwill. I needed the space in my car and it felt food to get more stuff out of the house. 

I've been working on the kitchen and reallllly need to clean up the fridge. I don't know if I'll ever get the fridge on bottom again, it's too easy to lose stuff in the bottom! 

Working on paperwork in the office and I haven't really been counting so I think I'll end up estimating how much I've gone through at the end of the night. Gotta turn in early tonight so I'm trying to get a lot of work done so I'll be tired. On the plus side, I've activated a new CC, found 2 checks that need to be cashed, almost have all the 2015 receipts to send in to be digitized and am steadily working through piles. 

I've bribed myself by buying Adele's new album and have that on repeat! 

[NastyWoman]

Jan 2, 2016 18:27:55 GMT -5 debthaven said:

We should start a new thread ... the 2016 Slackers Club. 

I'm still hoping to get through my clothing shelves tomorrow. I was going to see my friend but we had a last-minute birthday party invitation so I'm not sure I'll make it there tomorrow. It's Sunday so I'm sure she'll have lots of visitors.

Sign me up. I should blow everybody out of the water on that one  . 

[Deleted]

There is now a Slackers Club thread.  However, you have to try before you can fail.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Here are a couple of sites that might be of interest to some of you: 


25 Reasons to Get Rid of Stuff


10 Tips for Getting More Done Every Single Day

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 2, 2016 14:29:58 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Good morning!!!
We have already been grocery shopping this morning. My morning list is done. 

For the remainder of today, 

• grading journals (this will be about 2 hours in my classroom)
• set up classroom for next week (another hour in my classroom)
• make a cheese cake for DD's birthday dinner tomorrow
• complete some prep work for next week's teaching (can do this at home)
• clean toilets
• sweep house (dear goodness, I want a roomba!!!)
• clean purses
• cardio

I would have more chores, but DD#1 wants to do the zone cleaning for this week for extra allowance money. 

Still need to sweep. 
The football game we watched today took way too long. 

[Ombud]

What we accomplished today:

GS1 picked out his lamp & table for his new room. Lamp's too big but his choice

Then did FAFSA but will need to import her taxes later. DD then came by & asked GS1 to stay at her house tonight ... he's still here.

He helped me box up 2 boxes, old fans, misc nuts & bolts ready for next charity drive

All 3 (GS1, GD1, me) watched Warriors squeeze by

GS1 now doing his wintercession homework & it's just the 2 of us

Nutting, sorry for your loss 

[debthaven]

Nuttin I'm so sorry for your loss. 

[dogmom]

Jan 2, 2016 18:24:59 GMT -5 taz157 said:

Jan 2, 2016 17:56:25 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I'm just about to end a nine day vacation where I managed to do none of the things I meant to do

Same here, but mine was 16 days. 

Same here, but mine was 12 days.

  11 days here.

[WholeLottaNothin]

Thank you everyone. He had been in poor health, so it's been a mix of emotions for everyone. Going to try to get at least another 20 items out the door today. I've had a cold for a while now that doesn't seem to want to quit. I would love to declutter that!

[startsmart]

nuttin- I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, there's something about the holidays that makes it harder too. Hope you're feeling better soon.

[dogmom]

I DID wash some woodwork around the windows and changed curtains. Puppy's vet visit went well.  

Since I do go back to work next week, I did start going thru the fridge and put together a couple of lunches for next week. 

A hot spot that I'm not happy with is one of the dressers in our bedroom.  It's a monster of a thing .  You probably know the type,...pretty to look at but not functional.  It has a huge mirror with bridge around it with nine little drawers that hold two or three items IF you're lucky.  Shelves along the sides of the mirror.  That's what I'm going to go through today.   Wish we would get rid of it, but DH really likes it.

[tcu2003]

Trying this again this year - I always try, and do okay for a month or so, and then slack off. We'll see what this year brings. I usually like the Peter Walsh challenges, so I'm going to go look those up this year.

In general, I need to work on finding places and homes for everything and being organized. A large part of my problem is I need some storage containers, but am often too cheap to buy what I need/want. A good example is the built-in in my master bathroom. It has 3 open shelves, and it just looks cluttered and messy. I use nearly everything up there (spare contacts, rubbing alcohol, band-aids, etc.), but I need baskets or something to put the stuff in so it is more organized and looks better. That said, I haven't found anything I really like at a price I like - excuses, but it is what it is.

[tcu2003]

Peter Walsh's #31Days2GetOrganized Challenge:

1. Set up a donation center (bin, basket, garbage bag, etc.) in your home and add 5 things to it

2. Look in your closet for the pair(s) of shoes that is most covered in dust, and add it to your donation pile. (He also mentioned the 80/20 rule where you wear 20% of your shoes 80% of the time.)

3. Pick any single room in your house and tackle the floor. Get every single thing that doesn't belong on the floor of that room off the floor, whether it is toys, books, clutter, etc.

I already have 1 done, and should be able to tackle 2 and 3 today. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 3, 2016 11:46:54 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Peter Walsh's #31Days2GetOrganized Challenge:

1. Set up a donation center (bin, basket, garbage bag, etc.) in your home and add 5 things to it

2. Look in your closet for the pair(s) of shoes that is most covered in dust, and add it to your donation pile. (He also mentioned the 80/20 rule where you wear 20% of your shoes 80% of the time.)

3. Pick any single room in your house and tackle the floor. Get every single thing that doesn't belong on the floor of that room off the floor, whether it is toys, books, clutter, etc.

I already have 1 done, and should be able to tackle 2 and 3 today. 

Thanks!
I already have #1 done. It's a cute wire basket that's home is on my washer/dryer. That's been our plan for a long time. I defintiely agree that it's a great idea and helps with having the mindset of purging. 
#2 is a good idea. I did get rid of one pair of shoes two weeks ago when I got rid of ten articles of clothing. I'm not sure if I have more to get rid of. My children on the other hand... that might be the place to start. 

For #3, I do that every day in every room, so we're good there. It helps that my youngest child is almost 14. Granted I don't make my children do it in their rooms. They do have to deep clean their rooms once per month, but other than that I let them mostly be messy. 

If you can keep posting these, that would be great!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Good Sunday morning!


Random thoughts: 
1) Today, my child turns 18 years old. So bittersweet as many of you have already experienced. She's so excited. 
2) The mousepad on the chromebook seems to have stopped working. That's annoying. 
3)Today is the last day of my Winter Break. It will be difficult! to get up tomorrow morning at 5:00am!


I'm off to church, so I'll be back later to post my goals for the day. 

[Deleted]

For some reason BF didn't give one small wall it's second coat of paint so I'll have to do that later. I have no furniture against that wall so I am going to do it after I do the rest of the clean up in that room. I've already done about half of it so it won't take long. Today I also want to take down the Christmas decorations. I'm going to be a bit sad to do that this year, I enjoy having the lights on the tree at night.


I only list the stuff I consider above and beyond the normal routine. I don't want to use up all my energy writing up the list

[Sharon]

Yesterday I got quite a few little things done.  One of the things I worked on was the tote of stuff a relative gave me for Christmas.  Everyone in the family gets one and it is filled with mostly useless stuff.  Dad tried to put a stop to gift exchanging with this family a couple years ago but the lady said no.  I am very sensitive to chemicals and perfumes so the scented candle and the glade air freshener went immediately into the donation bag, as did the scarf (that family is heavy smokers) and a few other random things.  For me the tote was the best part of the whole thing.  It seemed to have aired out fairly well so I put all my yarn for knitting Christmas stockings in there along with the pattern and assorted decorations used on the stockings.

I was also feeling fairly adventurous and cleaned out my purse yesterday.   The inside looks much better now.

[Jaguar]

I've started the process of gutting out that closet. I just threw out two garbage bags full of crap. The garbage containers are full already so I'll wait till Tuesday to do anymore. But the process is started.

Over the years my sister's have brought me lots of crap, it all went into THAT closet. The crap is going, I'm not having it here when it suits no purpose to me.