2017 Declutter and Organization Thread

[Saving4Norway]

Jan 28, 2017 16:44:54 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

Saving4Norway, split the room in half, then section each half into 3rds. Then purge each 3rd like hell, I find doing quarters makes it more massive and harder to do, break it down and tackle the smaller sections.

Good Luck!

LOL, I wish I had read this idea BEFORE I gutted the whole thing out onto the pool table. I started with the mini-closet and mini shelves, but I kept emptying and before I knew it, it was nearly empty. Now I've got a mountain o'crap on the pool table to stare at until it magically disappears.

[startsmart]

johngalt - I emptied my shredder 3x and it's full again. I usually go until the motor overheats and then pick up again another day. 

I did make good progress in the office on the trim. 10 sections are installed, caulked and painted 2x, one more section is installed and has the first coat of paint. I decided to replace the baseboard on the longest wall since it has so many issues (holes and such) so off to Home Depot tomorrow to pick up one more length. Then quarter round, then final painting. 

I have been working on the office reconfig too and think I found something I like. One of the reasons I stayed up late to paint the second coat was so I can arrange furniture tomorrow morning and see what works. Until then the computer is set up in the dining room for work. 

Oh and I'm super proud that the kitchen has remained clean all weekend, if I can just stay on top of dishes + wiping down the counters that will be a big accomplishment. Why are the accomplishments of normal adulthood so exciting?!

Jan 1-7th:
go through papers in the office

Jan 8-14th:
buy and attach new gutter downspout in the backyard

Jan 15-21st:
Finish reading 3 books (2/3 done)
Bag up stuff for donation
Clean out fridge

Jan 22nd-31st:
caulk and paint quarter round in hallway
catch up on laundry
pick up the back yard
mow the front lawn and back lawn
take the last piece of gutters to the

[snapdragon]

Jan 27, 2017 11:32:08 GMT -5 snapdragon said:

Hey everyone!

I have been reading but not doing much of anything right now.

I do have the Marie Kondo book and have read the first 2-3 chapters. I really need to get back to that. Though it won't be tonight or Saturday. 

Maybe Sunday?

Here's a half thought out list - 

Strip bed and wash/replace sheets blankets. --- Work on this over the week
Shred paperwork that I have found. --- Nope
Fold and put away laundry. --- Nope
Vacuum whole house. Wipe down bathroom and kitchen floors. --- Nope
Figure out what I am making for dinner most of next week. --- Nope
        

I managed to get nothing done except have a decent time with my Dad on Saturday.
Sunday I was getting a cell phone provider and that completely stressed me out. For the life of me I felt like I was at the doctor's office with how much info. they needed.   
By the time I got home from that I was mentally DONE.

[tcu2003]

Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized challenges.

Day 1 - TABLE TOPS
Day 2 - SET UP A DONATION BIN
Day 3 - GIFT BAGS
Day 4 – TACKLE THE FREEZER
Day 5 – UNDER THE SINK
Day 6 – TWO DRAWERS IN YOUR OFFICE (OR ELSEWHERE)
Day 7 – SHOES, SHOES, SHOES
Day 8 – THE CRAZY TANGLE OF CORDS AND CABLES
Day 9 – SOCKS AND UNDIES
Day 10 – SUITCASES AND LUGGAGE
Day 11 – GET BACK IN TOUCH
Day 12 – KITCHEN UTENSIL DRAWER
Day 13 – CONQUER THAT MAIL
Day 14 – CLEANING PRODUCTS IN YOUR LAUNDRY
Day 15 – UNDER THE BED(S) CLUTTER
Day 16 - MAGAZINES
Day 17 – PENS AND PENCILS
Day 18 – BROOMS AND MOPS AND THINGS THAT SWEEP
Day 19 – RECIPES AND COOKBOOKS
Day 20 – YOUR CLOSET (YOU CAN DO IT!)
Day 21 – ONE ‘SECRET’ SPACE
Day 22 – KITCHEN COUNTERS
Day 23 – THE PANTRY
Day 24 – LINEN CUPBOARD
Day 25 – YOUR CAR
Day 26 - RECEIPTS
Day 27 – MUGS AND CUPS AND DRINKING THINGS
Day 28 – A TINY CORNER OF THE GARAGE (OR MORE!)
Day 29 – THE MEDICINE CABINET


Day 30 – BOOKS (DON’T START SCREAMING JUST YET!)
This is always an emotional topic! I love books too but if you’re books are never going to be read and covered in dust, perhaps today’s the day to deal with them. Take a deep breath and let’s get going.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I'm trying a new lay-out this week. I had a master list of random/irregular to-do's on a separate page. With the random to-dos at the bottom of the pages, I shouldn't have to flip back and forth as much. 

[busymom]

Hi Kids!

In spite of some unexpected sNOw falling this morning, I did make the drive down to drop off a check so DD now has money in an IRA. Since the office I had to go to was only a couple of miles from Mom's house, I decided to drive by & see if the property looked different. I can hear Mom spinning in her grave from here, as the new owners had all kinds of stuff piled up in the backyard!  I sincerely hope they plan to build a shed, or, being in the city, some of that stuff is going to "disappear" as time goes by.  (Growing up in the city, I know the thieves are pretty bold.)  Poor Mom.  She used to put so much effort into making her yard look nice, growing flowers, etc.  Now the yard  looks like a hoarder's paradise. 

I also stopped at a nearby mall (to Mom's house) to do some walking, as I figured a change of scenery would be good.  So far I've got 7,300 steps, and I still need to go grocery shopping, so I should be able to hit 10,000 by bedtime.

[debthaven]

Chloe that journal is a work of art lol!

Busy I'm sorry about your mom's house. It must be tough to see that.

The colleague with family issues will be gone for 5 weeks (one is vacation). They asked the permanent prof to take as many of his classes as she can (because they don't pay her extra). Tonight the rest of us (adjuncts) were asked if we can take the 3 groups that are left (which each meet twice a week) and given a table to fill in our availability. My boss said she far prefers the same teacher do all the classes for each group, so I filled in all the slots for one group, even though it means going in twice on days I don't usually teach. My boss is great and I'm sure we'll hear back very soon. The extra money will be welcome. I was hoping to be able to cover more of his classes but he has the same schedule as me. I'll take what I can get.

This colleague is supposed to be back in five weeks, but given what I know about the situation, he could be gone for longer, even all semester.

This week
- pick up DS1's package (Mon)
- pick up my package (Tues?)
- pharmacy (Wed)
- marking

[startsmart]

busy - I often drive by my grandparent's old house and they haven't kept up the garden either. it makes me want to go over with a trimmer on the weekend. 

I bought the new baseboard for the office but there's enough damage to the drywall that I need to get someone out to fix it. I'm not going to bring in most of the furniture until that gets done. 

I figure it's going to take awhile to schedule someone to come out (maybe a week or so) and in the meantime I want to frame out the window

[Jaguar]

Well I got the top shelf relined and all the stuff cleaned and put up there. One down and three more to go. Next up is my tea shelf.

[Jaguar]

Two down and two more to go, the tea shelf is done. Geez I should have done this years ago it looks so fresh and clean. I'm really happy.

[tcu2003]

FINAL CHALLENGE!

Below is the list of all 31 days of challenges - enjoy!

Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized challenges.

Day 1 - TABLE TOPS
Day 2 - SET UP A DONATION BIN
Day 3 - GIFT BAGS
Day 4 – TACKLE THE FREEZER
Day 5 – UNDER THE SINK
Day 6 – TWO DRAWERS IN YOUR OFFICE (OR ELSEWHERE)
Day 7 – SHOES, SHOES, SHOES
Day 8 – THE CRAZY TANGLE OF CORDS AND CABLES
Day 9 – SOCKS AND UNDIES
Day 10 – SUITCASES AND LUGGAGE
Day 11 – GET BACK IN TOUCH
Day 12 – KITCHEN UTENSIL DRAWER
Day 13 – CONQUER THAT MAIL
Day 14 – CLEANING PRODUCTS IN YOUR LAUNDRY
Day 15 – UNDER THE BED(S) CLUTTER
Day 16 - MAGAZINES
Day 17 – PENS AND PENCILS
Day 18 – BROOMS AND MOPS AND THINGS THAT SWEEP
Day 19 – RECIPES AND COOKBOOKS
Day 20 – YOUR CLOSET (YOU CAN DO IT!)
Day 21 – ONE ‘SECRET’ SPACE
Day 22 – KITCHEN COUNTERS
Day 23 – THE PANTRY
Day 24 – LINEN CUPBOARD
Day 25 – YOUR CAR
Day 26 - RECEIPTS
Day 27 – MUGS AND CUPS AND DRINKING THINGS
Day 28 – A TINY CORNER OF THE GARAGE (OR MORE!)
Day 29 – THE MEDICINE CABINET
Day 30 – BOOKS


Day 31 – PLASTIC FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS
Maybe I’ve left the best till last – today’s all about conquering that worst of clutter: plastic food storage containers. We can do it!!!

[Lizard Queen]

I really should update my weeks sooner.  I tend to forget when I wait too long like this.  Last week, according to my calendar:
Sunday - fail
Monday - pass for DH's appt., but still did it.
Tuesday - pass
Wednesday - did it
Thursday - pass
Friday - fail
Saturday - pass for mom's b-day party

I started to get sick again, or I got into something more dusty than I could handle.  I just started feeling awful again for a couple of days.  I'm still not completely better.  I still need to get on with this!  

declutter totals: 66 + 25

Oh, I did a no-no and took a few tops to my mom.  She actually bought them for me in the first place, and they were possibly her size (she being very petite, maybe not).  I found her immediately wearing the vest that was nice but never my style.  Looked really good on her.    Only the vest is included in the totals.

[Jaguar]

I just took down all the dishes from the top shelf, cleaned them, then I cleaned the top shelf and put the liner on it. Now I'm just waiting for the dishes to dry, and I'll put everything up there again.

Then it's only one more shelf to go !

[Jaguar]

The top dishes shelf is done and finished. Everything here in my kitchen smells like lemons and limes, lol

[jenpen]

Hurray, Jaguar! I'm sure that feels fantastic!  BTW, love the first 2 lines of your signature 

[Jaguar]

I got the last high shelf done, the one I use the most, oh geez it looks so darn good and smells so good as well.

This is the liner I used in the pattern that I used the lunchbox print. - www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/grip-print-lunch-box-drawer-liner-1421392p.html#srp

[debthaven]

TCU thank you for posting the PW challenges!

That looks really cute Jag!

My transparent hanging shoe rack was delivered last night! DH put it up for me this morning. I managed to fit all my shoes in except 3 pairs of high heels I rarely/never wear, so I'm happy! 

I did get a ton of papers to mark but I'm spending the day with DS3. I'll worry about the marking on Fri after he goes back to college.

This week
- pick up DS1's package (Mon)
- pick up my package (Tues)
- put bag in donation bin (Wed)
- pharmacy 
- bottle bank
- marking (Fri/Sat/Sun)

ETA: I also bought 5 small adhesive hooks for my long cardigans, and put them on the side of the closet, so that's a small improvement too.

[Chocolate Lover]

Mom is trying to pawn off furniture from my grandmother on to me. I might take the round dining table but there's an octagon shaped table with a door on the side that she wants me to take, but it's just too huge for the space I live in. I like it and love that you can shove stuff in it, but I'm going to have to turn it down. (I'd be giving the dining table I replace with the round one to SIL) 

[debthaven]

If it doesn't fit you're right to turn it down Chocolate.

[startsmart]

Dropped off a bag of 79 items to Goodwill even though I have 10 more items in my kitchen that also need to go. Last night I cleaned out the bottom half of my pantry and consolidated a bunch of stuff. Overall I'm pretty happy with the first month of 2017. Despite rainstorms, power outages, my car in the shop x2 and little to no help from my PA the house is looking great. The quarter round is done in 4 of the 6 rooms/spaces, the kitchen and living room are super clean and I'm tackling the paper piles. I also got the can light installed in the guest bath before my electrician moved away and worked out with the trainer 11 times (2 cancellations due to sickness though). 

I had the personal January goal to dress all the way to the shoes before 10am every day, even weekends and working from home and I think I did it all but 3 days when I wasn't feeling well. Not bad! 

For February I'm going to continue "dress to the shoes" and add emptying the sink of all dishes before bed & making my bed in the morning (i.e. before noon). 

February 1-7th
pick up the back yard and mow the back yard 
mow the front lawn 
take the last piece of gutters to the
Finish reading 4 books (2 complete) 
buy and attach new gutter downspout in the backyard
hire someone to come patch the roof
hire someone to come patch drywall
finish installing baseboard + quarter round in the office
begin trimming window in the office
drop off magazines at assisted living home

[debthaven]

I completely forgot about the pile of clothes in DS2's room for the consignment shop. I think it's by appt only, so I'll call on Friday to make an appt for next week.

I'd rather get ahead on the marking this weekend because I'll get more papers next week.

 

[Jaguar]

Feb 1, 2017 15:19:13 GMT -5 debthaven said:

If it doesn't fit you're right to turn it down Chocolate.

I had to turn down good furniture too, but it wouldn't have fit my place at all. It was a big livingroom couch that went with the chair I did get, and massive wood and copper coffee tables.

I love what I did get, it fits my lifestyle to a tee.

[Chocolate Lover]

Feb 1, 2017 15:19:13 GMT -5 debthaven said:

If it doesn't fit you're right to turn it down Chocolate.

I know but it really is a pretty cool piece of furniture.  I can behave and say no though. 

[startsmart]

Yay! Got a call back about the roof repairs, 2 guys showed up 30 min later and they are doing the repairs now. They found some issues that were not fixed properly the last time and are also going to give me an estimate for the whole roof replacement and replacing rotting boards. 

Super important to get the roof finished before a) it rains tomorrow and b) before paying to replace the drywall damaged due to water damage. 

[busymom]

Hi Kids! I got my 10,000 steps done early today, so now I'm home working on cleaning & laundry (and dinner!).  I might have someone coming over on Sunday, so I hope the house will look good by then.  It always amazes me how quickly the house gets messy with 4 people living in it.

I went to 2 different stores to look at flooring for the bathroom, and possibly a new vanity.  I need to talk with my contractor (if he ever gets over here) to see if it's possible to tear off the old vanity top, & refinish the existing vanity, or if I'm going to have to replace the entire thing.  (Our vanity counter top is warping, so definitely needs replacing.)  I do plan to replace the faucet, too, but it'd be nice if we could do that room little more cheaply.  The original builder put in the wrong type of wallboard around the shower, so that wall material will need to be replaced too.  (And yes, we still need to replace the kitchen/dining room flooring, but having done the bathroom at Mom's house, I believe we can do the bathroom more quickly).  And, there are a lot of walls that need new paint, but because the walls are very high in the living room & kitchen, I'd rather pay someone else to climb up high & do the work.  Lots to get done...

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I had a migraine on Tuesday. I cannot keep up with grading right now. Sigh. 

[Jaguar]

I hope your migraine goes away Knee Deep in Water Chloe

[debthaven]

I hope you're feeling better Chloe.

This week
- pick up DS1's package (Mon)
- pick up my package (Tues)
- put bag in donation bin (Wed)
- pharmacy (Thurs)
- bottle bank (Fri)
- call consignment shop (Fri)

This week's marking
- First year A (21 papers): Fri
- First year B (20 papers): Sat
- Second year A (9 long papers): Sun

That's only about half of it ... and I'm getting more next week. 

[jenpen]

I need to do updates here, but while I'm thinking about it, and since I just checked to see if they had it posted, here's the list of recommended organizing books from the presentation I went to last weekend 

naponc.org/events/recommended-reading/

Chloe, hope you're feeling better.  Busymom, I agree with debt, that had to be hard to see. Sorry 

[Sharon]

DD and SIL are spending the night at might place tomorrow.  The shite pile has been dealt with and the back side of the counter has been cleared.  The back side of the counter was originally designed to be a small breakfast bar or something.  I use it as a general dumping ground.   All quilt/craft projects have been cleaned up off of the table.  1.  We will be having dinner together tomorrow night so I need the table cleared and 2.  DD wants to do a craft project on Saturday.