2017 Declutter and Organization Thread

[debthaven]

I forgot to pack up the clothes I'm hoping will go to the consignment shop before DS2 and his GF arrived (they were in a pile on DS2's floor). Ugh. I shoved everything into an Ikea bag, it took 2 min. 

Dinner was a huge success! 

As of tomorrow evening I'm off for 10 days, in theory. The students are off next week, but I'll go in for my faculty / staff classes. Amazingly I was able to put all three on the same day, so I'm only working one day next week. (I don't HAVE to go in for those, but since I'm around, I'm happy to go in and earn the money.)

But I'll be very happy not to have to wake up at 6 next week!

Also (sorry to vent) there is conflict at work. EDITED

[startsmart]

Slowly getting things done at the house but we're also launching a new offer tomorrow in the business so a lot of time and attention is needed there. I ended up throwing all the blankets that need to be washed in the middle of the living room and the dogs are making big old nests. 

Started the quarter round trim in the guest room but one wall is so off that I'll need to use a different size trim. It shouldn't be too bad/awkward because there are just 2 transitions and one is inside a closet but it's annoying me nevertheless. Tonight I'll caulk the first 7 (out of 13) lengths and hopefully get a first coat of paint on. I know I just started this in January but I am ready for it to be OVER. 

Other Wed tasks will include finishing up the dishes, 2 loads of laundry and more vacuuming. Yay. 

ETA: I was able to get 8/14 lengths of the quarter round in the guest room installed, caulked and painted! Second coat on the closet at least which means tomorrow I can move a bunch of stuff into the closet and work on the rest of the room. 

The whole room is pretty much a disaster so I'll be spending most of Friday trying to put it all back together. 

[Saving4Norway]

I'm not winning any races, but I'm slowly and steadily working on down-sizing the piles on the pool table. (I've recently gutted my office of everything and have replaced what I really want to keep in there.) I'd like to give us all a shout out for all of us who are on the slow-and-steady treadmill to decluttering success. I don't know about you, but I can say for myself that the majority of my eventual success is from simply continuing to chug along when the big momentous occasion ends and just plain ol' grit is what we have left to see us to the finish line. In one way or the other, we've all done exactly that.

We rock.

[naughtybear]

I have everything out to purge/trash/box for my temp relocation. Today is clothes and it is go time.

[debthaven]

If anyone read my (edited) vent last night, the situation seems to have resolved itself. It looks like the person is coming back to work a week early so they will be able to mark their own midterms. I'm still marking two shorter assignments for them, but I'm OK with that. I'm relieved.

[startsmart]

Working away in the guest room and got the closet loaded up with a bunch of stuff that needs to be out of sight (fabric storage, picture frames, LEGOs, extra pillows...). 

The issue now is unloading 2 bookshelves so I can add the quarter round behind them so for the next day the guest room bed is going to be absolutely covered in books. 

I did get 2 loads of laundry done and need to get it put away today, we have a full week of rain so there is no excuse not to get these projects done! 

I think once I install the quarter round on the north wall I can do paint on the 2 longest walls and let that dry. SO close to being done! 

[startsmart]

Argggg! Why do I procrastinate so much?! I had a lot of things I wanted to do before Saturday (awkward meeting at my house so stress = cleaning) and they're now all on my list tomorrow.

I was going over how much to do tomorrow and actually got out of bed to paint the trim, caulk another wall of trim, paint a wall in my hallway and clean the bathroom. Still the list is a mile long. 

I know some of it is cleaning that is always going to need to be done again because it's winter, raining and the dogs track in a lot of mud and dirt but this has been the worst week for my PA to decide that she can't help out anymore. Makes me cranky because it's the busiest time at work and I feel like crap and have this meeting on Saturday... 

Okay I'm going to heat up my hot pads for my aching legs and get to bed. Early morning and all that. 

[debthaven]

Haha startsmart you certainly don't seem like you procastinate to me (to us)!

This week
- see A (Tues)
- food shopping (Wed)
- call consignment shop (Wed) I have to call back in 2 weeks for an appt
- bottle bank (Fri) DH went

This week's marking
- MSc: 8 papers (Mon)
- Year 2 Group C: 8 (long) papers (Wed)
- Year 1 Group C:18 papers (Fri) (my colleague's group)  

No more marking till the week after next.

[Sharon]

I have a nasty cold and have been off work since Wednesday morning so I have been in full on sewing mode.  That is the only thing I really feel like doing.  Today I do hope to get to the bottle return place.  Not only will it get the empty cans out of the house I will get around $4 for the effort.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

debthaven, I'm glad the grading situation has worked out a bit. For us, we cannot really cover classes as we already teach six 50-minute classes per day. In theory, I could teach one more class during the school day, and that would add 250 minutes of just teaching plus any prep time for that class. The way it's supposed to work for us is that a long-term substitute is brought in to assume the regular teacher's role. 




Happy Friday, everyone! 


I'm maintaining house and work efforts, but I'm not getting ahead. 

[busymom]

Good Morning Kids!


I slogged through a bunch of paperwork I had to fill out for DS & my relative yesterday.  Now today, I need to attack my paperwork pile, and actually make some serious progress.  I haven't even made my tax appointment yet, but I'll see how much I can organize before the end of the day.

[startsmart]

debthaven - I probably should not have started on trim in the guest room before this Saturday meeting, there's always a lot of mess and I haven't been able to pull furniture out of that room like I normally do so there's lots of crawling around on my hands and knees jammed between the mattress and the wall trying (and failing) not to get paint all over myself. 

None of these projects *must* be done before tomorrow but I know myself and having the house look good is one less stress. Since most of these projects are halfway done it just looks terrible (like the rug from the guest room folded up in the living room or a stack of stuff in the kitchen for donation). 

So far this morning I've stripped my bed of linens and started another load in the washer, folded all the clean blankets so the dogs don't get them smelly again, cleaned up the floor from where I painted last night and got dressed and ready for the gym later. 

[busymom]

It always amazes me how long it takes to organize paperwork when I let it sit too long.  Add in that some of the stuff that arrives in the mail is from last year, which has to be separated from new files I've got for 2017.  Oh well, at least these projects keep me out of trouble.  (And no, while I've made a dent, I'm not done yet...)  I'm having lunch now.

[tcu2003]

I finally went through all the gift bags last night while the baby was sleeping. I only tossed a few that were in terrible shape, but they're at least all organized. I haven't purchased a gift bag in I don't know how long and I still have them coming out of my ears. For kids, I usually like to wrap gifts, but I may start wrapping and then putting them in a gift bag just to get some out of my house faster.

[startsmart]

I am so freaking excited. While I still have a ton to do around the house I caught a second good deal this week! 

For history, several years back I bought a bamboo roman shade at Home Depot online and it looked good so I got 2 more for the 2 matching windows while they were on sale. By the time I went to install them I realized they were the wrong size and it was (way) too late to return. Boo. And of course finding new ones were impossible at this weird size.

I decided to wait until the window frames were done so I could re-measure. Tonight when I went to pick up one last piece of trim to finish the guest room I noticed they were setting up tables for clearance items and FOUND THE RIGHT SIZE SHADES! They are a pretty close match to my existing one and instead of $70/ea they were marked $34. Not too bad, I talked myself into getting them at half off and then they rung up at $17/ea! I'm so motivated to get the guest room and living room window frames done so I can install the new shades  

ETA: I got the trim mostly installed in the guest room (2 more small pieces to do after moving some furniture around) and I've caulked and painted 1 coat. I'll do the last coat before bed so it can dry overnight. Got so much accomplished today - all the blankets are clean and folded, rolled out the new living room rug and I love it, moved a bunch of older rugs, and the kitchen is looking good. 

[Sharon]

I actually got some stuff done yesterday. The desk that my serger sits on is now cleaned off.  It is an old computer desk that has been converted to a sewing table.  I made a swim suit coverup for my brother for his birthday and got the bathrooms cleaned.

[jenpen]

Feb 11, 2017 10:30:10 GMT -5 Sharon said:

I actually got some stuff done yesterday. The desk that my serger sits on is now cleaned off.  It is an old computer desk that has been converted to a sewing table.  I made a swim suit coverup for my brother for his birthday and got the bathrooms cleaned.

  I was having trouble picturing what a men's swim suit cover-up would look like, so I googled it.  Oh. my.     Some of the things that came up  Glad I didn't do that at work! 

[Sharon]

I posted a picture of the cover up here.  ymam.proboards.com/thread/49045/sewing-bee?page=6.

I really need to vacuum but that may or may not happen today.  Yesterday turned out to be busier than I anticipated.  Today DD and SIL are finally going to announce their pregnancy on FB and to everyone else and I ended up taking pictures of them standing in front of various farm equipment holding a onesie.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I wasn't terribly productive yesterday. I'm still struggling with migraines, and a short-lived one hit yesterday. Hopefully I'll be KATN tomorrow.


I'll post Sunday's list soon.  

[jenpen]

You all are making great progress!!! I haven't posted in a while, but I've been reading along and...wow!

I convinced my doctor to write me a prescription for an ADD med a couple weeks ago because I've been having such a hard time concentrating and focusing on anything -- to the point that I had almost 200 emails in my work inbox. Many were months old and I hadn't responded to them because I could barely comprehend the first sentence or two. My productivity was close to nil, and it was only a matter of time before people started catching on. (I work on so many different projects that the PIs and study managers always just assume I'm swamped with somebody else's work.)  I'm so glad I pushed for this med.  I've gotten more done at work in the past 2 weeks than I had in the prior 3 months!  And I've got my inbox down to few enough emails that they all fit on one screen. I'm still behind on a few things, but primarily new stuff that just happened to come in all in the past couple weeks and need to be done ASAP.  

All that to say that I've been going in to work early and staying late, so I haven't made much progress at home. I took a much needed rest day yesterday, but I need to get back at it today.  So far I've taken care of the weekly cat-related chores and have started laundry.  My plan for the rest of the day:

Papers -- file, respond, whatever is needed to get them off every dang surface downstairs!
Clear the kitchen counters
Find someplace to stash the 2 cases of bottled water left over from last weekend's water shortage
Put away cat food (I get 2-month supply from Amazon)
Clean both bathrooms
Put away all the crap in my bedroom
At least 3 more loads of laundry
Go for a walk!  It's going to get up to 80*F today and it's beautiful out
Cook and freeze sausage. or just freeze it. IDK, I gotta figure this out without letting it derail the rest of my day.

[zibazinski]

Feb 12, 2017 9:58:27 GMT -5 jenpen said:

You all are making great progress!!! I haven't posted in a while, but I've been reading along and...wow!

I convinced my doctor to write me a prescription for an ADD med a couple weeks ago because I've been having such a hard time concentrating and focusing on anything -- to the point that I had almost 200 emails in my work inbox. Many were months old and I hadn't responded to them because I could barely comprehend the first sentence or two. My productivity was close to nil, and it was only a matter of time before people started catching on. (I work on so many different projects that the PIs and study managers always just assume I'm swamped with somebody else's work.)  I'm so glad I pushed for this med.  I've gotten more done at work in the past 2 weeks than I had in the prior 3 months!  And I've got my inbox down to few enough emails that they all fit on one screen. I'm still behind on a few things, but primarily new stuff that just happened to come in all in the past couple weeks and need to be done ASAP.  

All that to say that I've been going in to work early and staying late, so I haven't made much progress at home. I took a much needed rest day yesterday, but I need to get back at it today.  So far I've taken care of the weekly cat-related chores and have started laundry.  My plan for the rest of the day:

Papers -- file, respond, whatever is needed to get them off every dang surface downstairs!
Clear the kitchen counters
Find someplace to stash the 2 cases of bottled water left over from last weekend's water shortage
Put away cat food (I get 2-month supply from Amazon)
Clean both bathrooms
Put away all the crap in my bedroom
At least 3 more loads of laundry
Go for a walk!  It's going to get up to 80*F today and it's beautiful out
Cook and freeze sausage. or just freeze it. IDK, I gotta figure this out without letting it derail the rest of my day.

I can always tell if I'm not on mine.

[debthaven]

Jenpen glad you're being so productive!

I haven't done much this weekend except keeping up with dishes and laundry. I'm only working one day this week (it's school vacation here). Besides prep, I have a few errands to run and some friends to see this week.

This week
Mon
- see A
Tues
- see E
- bank
Wed
- work
Thurs
- pick up prescription

[moneysquirrel]

I feel like a slug this week.  Been doing only what I needed to do as I still feel yucky. Made the decision that I have to make a doctor's appointment as I can't shake this by myself.  Will call in the morning to see when he can take me.

The tornados this week hit about 15 miles from school.  Lots of homes and businesses were damaged. About 300.  Good news was that no lives were lost.  I know that we will be checking to see if any of our students 'families were affected by this. This was in an area that was just getting back to normal after Katrina.  Some of the families are now homeless again. 

This week list looks a lot like the last few weeks:

Home/Personal
Maintain progress
Clear off the flat surfaces – BR (this is my clutter area) It is better but still has too much stuff on it.
Tutoring – 2 days 1 hour each
Begin working on taxes – still waiting for several papers to come in before I can do a lot in this area.
Make Doctor Appointment
School
Quizzes – 5 sets @110
Projects 7th @83 Due Monday
Crafts – Some will take longer than one week
Continue crocheting baby gift (pattern has 74 rows and 2 ruffles) –ruffle 1 – done need to start Ruffle 2 – 5 Rows.
Necklaces (6) with summer/spring designs, charms for upcoming spring craft shows

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I'm sorry, moneysquirrel; that must be so stressful. 

debthaven, I'm glad you're getting a bit of a break!

That's great about being able to get back on track, jenpen! 

How did the announcement turn out, Sharon? 


tcu2003, I'm so impressed you purged the gift bags. That is so difficult for me! My lovely husband will usually say "NO!" if he sees me start to use one that really isn't suitable. 



busymom, I too need to get going on the tax paper work!


How did the clothes purging go, naughtybear? Were you able to part with much?

[naughtybear]

10 pairs of shoes baby !! I should have called it a closet purge. lol

[jenpen]

Feb 12, 2017 9:58:27 GMT -5 jenpen said:

...  My plan for the rest of the day:

Papers -- file, respond, whatever is needed to get them off every dang surface downstairs! - done
Clear the kitchen counters - small one done, big one almost done, dishes washed, sink scoured, counters and cabinet fronts wiped down/disinfected. Most of what's left on the big counter is supplies and tools for installing the backsplash in the kitchen. The countertops that I use all the time are usually clear of any clutter.
Find someplace to stash the 2 cases of bottled water left over from last weekend's water shortage
Put away cat food (I get 2-month supply from Amazon) - done
Clean both bathrooms
Put away all the crap in my bedroom
At least 3 more loads of laundry - got 2 more loads done--the last one took forever to dry, but I have everything I need clean for the week
Go for a walk!  It's going to get up to 80*F today and it's beautiful out -- nope
Cook and freeze sausage. or just freeze it. IDK, I gotta figure this out without letting it derail the rest of my day.

Ugh. Paper. took. all. freakin'. day.  But every single bit of it is filed or otherwise put away (some belonged in the car, some in my wallet) or in the recycle or shred bag.  Except, I have two small stacks: one to go in the mail, and one that I need to take to work because they involve making phone calls. These are both in my work bag to go out the door with me tomorrow.  

Tomorrow I'll clean the bathrooms and work on the stuff in my bedroom. And launder kitchen towels/dishcloths. 

ETA: Part of my problem w/paper is that my primary file system is a plastic bin that I have to drag out from a stack of stuff in a closet upstairs.  I have a small file drawer in my desk downstairs, so today I moved things around to make sure I have all my "active" files in that drawer now.  Hoping that will make it more likely to get things that can be filed immediately, actually filed immediately. 

[Sharon]

The announcement was a big success and the pictures turned out pretty good, considering for one of them I pulled my car up really close and then stood on the floorboards with the door open and held the camera above my head while holding on to the car door.  It is amazing how big some of the farm equipment is. 

I also got the entire house vacuumed today and made some good progress on the baby quilt.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I finished out today pretty well. Except for grading. No grading was accomplished today. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 27, 2017 15:07:31 GMT -5 debthaven said:

The real problem is that I have little closet space. I keep all my clothes in my closet, even the out-of-season clothes. But between clothes that are too small (by 1 or 2 sizes) and clothes I'm sentimental about, I feel like I barely have enough room. And I ALWAYS do the one in / one out thing.

I may the "sentimental" clothes elsewhere, either in the linen closet or the extra closet next to it.  But I don't want my summer / winter clothes in different places.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Also, shoes. I found two pairs to donate, but I keep most of my shoes on the floor of my closet, which isn't practical. I'm perpetually trying to find a solution for that. What do you guys do with your shoes? I want to try this: www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50300044/

ETA: I found a transparent one on Amazon with more compartments, so I'll get that (eventually, when I don't have to pay for delivery).

ETA2: I bought 2 sweaters on sale today, red and hot pink. I am fed up with being The Lady in Grey. I always follow the one in / one out rule. This time I did 1 in / 2 out, I got rid of 4 (old) sweaters!

debthaven , sorry for the late response, as posted a few weeks ago, I have been sick, and then I was traveling last week.  It stinks to fly while ill, but I wasn't going to miss my BFF's wedding. 

I keep my off season tops in a large Rubbermaid container in our walk-in closet.  I like it because I sometimes need to use a cardigan, etc. in the winter, for instance, and it's right there.

My sweaters, shirts, work out stuff, a cube of back up HBAs for the bathroom, etc.  I have two of these, one stacked on top of each other:  9 cube  I personally try not to hang sweaters to avoid stretching, and hanger pokes.

My shoes are in something similar, with smaller sized cubbies.

Congratulations on incorporating color into your wardrobe. 

Added:  I forgot, we also have one of these 3 cube in the hallway closet.  Hiking boots, etc. go there.

[startsmart]

Despite a very productive Friday the weekend was mostly a bust. 6 hours on Saturday spent in that awkward conversation and by the time it was over I was so exhausted that I went to bed early. I did get some food prep done for the week ahead.

Sunday I worked in the guest room and got the furniture put back in place. I still have 2 small pieces of trim to add but it's mostly done. Sunday night I was following the problem nearby with the Oroville dam and got very little else done. 

BUT the house is clean, the new rug is out in the living room and laundry is caught up. I would like to do some of the lawn mowing tonight or tomorrow before the next storm comes through.