2017 Declutter and Organization Thread

[Jaguar]

All the drawer and shelf liners are now in the kitchen armoire, that job is done !

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 3, 2017 13:26:44 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Chloe that's impressive! I would probably find that many lists overwhelming though. Also, strange question ... you don't mind making all those little boxes?

That particular notebook comes with three sections--120 pages of blank paper, 120 pages of graph paper, and 120 pages of lined paper.  


We don't have school today because there's too much ice. Our county doesn't have staff or equipment to deal with ice or snow to keep the roads safe. It only snows every five years or so. 

[Chocolate Lover]

I went on a mini rampage when I almost broke my ankle trying to hang up clothes yesterday and cleaned the crap "hiding" from Xmas out of my closet. Broke down a bunch of cardboard boxes I'll recycle on my way home and have some donation stuff ready to go. (No room in the car with all the recycle.) Still looking at my Xmas tree and if DH doesn't undo it soon (his job, I'd go without it) I'll toss it on the porch.  

[Jaguar]

I got the livingroom drawer lined as well with the liner, it's looking so good here. The kitchen especially is looking so bright with all the new colors. I put a orange terra-cotta runner color on the kitchen table and geez what a difference to the whole kitchen this has done. It looks brighter, more energy. I love it!

[startsmart]

debthaven - I had to laugh about the tea because I have a bunch of different kinds but my mom has BUCKETS in her pantry. A few years ago they remodeled their kitchen and added a walk in and now it's just packed with food. I found having a few packets out helps to use it up and/or you can donate it to older folks. My grandma had me heat up her tea when I visited and there was zero color or flavor since she had reused the bag so many times. 

Getting things done around here - my podcast launches this week so lots to do there and although my assistant couldn't make it today we rescheduled for Thursday. I want to get the decorations put away and things cleaned up a bit before she arrives. 

OH - and I thew a basket into the hall closet as a catchall for donations which is helpful since it's out of the way but easy to get to. I need to start going through my clothes but I'm going to wait for a bit on that. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 3, 2017 12:01:28 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized challenges.

Day 1 - TABLE TOPS
Day 2 - SET UP A DONATION BIN

Day 3 - GIFT BAGS
If gift wrapping and gift bags are cluttering any part of your home today's challenge is for you! Let's cut these items down to a reasonable amount.

Guilty.    We sold 27 or so gift bags for $1 to a friend of mine at our yard sale several years ago.  Since then, we've (and by we've, I mean me ) accumulated at least 15 new ones.  The gift wrap storage tote went to the temporary storage unit yesterday in anticipation of the move, but I'll donate all but a few when we get moved. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 3, 2017 14:23:38 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

All the drawer and shelf liners are now in the kitchen armoire, that job is done !

A shout out for shelf and drawer liners.  As I clean out and wipe down drawers and shelves for the move, I am noticing how in good of shape the drawers and shelf interiors are, even after 11 years.  This is the type I use, purchased at Wally World: shelf liner

I purchased the same for our new camper.  Looking forward to it's success in there as well. 

[debthaven]

This week
- find rolling school bag in basement for P (Mon)
- pay bills for rentals (Mon)
- pick up script from J (Tues)
- prepare rental papers (Tues)
- declutter sencha colada tea (Tues)
- haircut + color (Wed)
- skype lesson (Wed)
- finish book for Book Club (Wed)
- go to primary to say goodbye (Wed)
- get printer paper (Wed)
- see A (Wed)
- set up new work email (w DH, Wed)
- take down Christmas (Fri)
- plan new course (ongoing)
- rewrite letter for lawyer

I haven't been super productive. Tomorrow is a busy day. I go back to work on Thurs.

ETA: I reached my goal! We're down to 9 types of fancy tea (DH took a box to work and DS3 finished the chai spice tea.)

[whoisjohngalt]

Jan 3, 2017 12:01:28 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Peter Walsh 31 Days to Get Organized challenges.

Day 1 - TABLE TOPS
Day 2 - SET UP A DONATION BIN

Day 3 - GIFT BAGS
If gift wrapping and gift bags are cluttering any part of your home today's challenge is for you! Let's cut these items down to a reasonable amount.

Holy canolli!  I actually got that covered!

[busymom]

You all are starting the new year very well!

Our tree is down, & the ornament boxes back into storage.  I just spotted a couple of Christmas things that were left out that need to go into storage, too.  I've also got one of those zippered containers that holds Christmas roll wrap, but it was very full before the season began, & when DH brought it upstairs he mistakenly picked it up by the handle, & it tore. 

[NastyWoman]

My first EPIC FAIL of the year!!!

I had this really cute kitchen clock that looked like a crazy chicken with long spindly legs one of which served as a pendulum. It just didn't keep time anymore --- it worked but not like anything that keeps the correct time. So I asked for and received a new clock for Xmas, this time an owl clock.

Should be easy right: take down old clock, throw out old clock, hang new clock... Weeellll, those clocks really look very cute together and now I have two kitchen clocks, one of which actually keeps time  I just don't think this counts as decluttering. And did I mention that I have a very small kitchen with (perfectly fine working) clocks on the stove and the microwave

[taz157]

Jan 3, 2017 20:05:08 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

My first EPIC FAIL of the year!!!

I had this really cute kitchen clock that looked like a crazy chicken with long spindly legs one of which served as a pendulum. It just didn't keep time anymore --- it worked but not like anything that keeps the correct time. So I asked for and received a new clock for Xmas, this time an owl clock.

Should be easy right: take down old clock, throw out old clock, hang new clock... Weeellll, those clocks really look very cute together and now I have two kitchen clocks, one of which actually keeps time  I just don't think this counts as decluttering. And did I mention that I have a very small kitchen with (perfectly fine working) clocks on the stove and the microwave

Your punishment is to provide pictures. 😜😎

[startsmart]

Making a little progress! I wanted to go out and run errands tonight but it's dark and raining so I need to decide if I'm gonna risk it. 

Jan 1-7th:
ship box to K
finish book ornaments and pack them up - halfway done
go through papers in the office (all on one shelf right now)
send client new website
find space in the garage for plastic xmas tubs
put ornaments away in the closet - halfway done 
take batteries and light bulbs to recycling
scan 2016 files from office and add to shredding box

ETA: did not end up going out tonight which is good because the wind is crazy out there! We lost power once about 30 min ago and luckily I had some candles burning. Working on my whole house plan for the year instead and super excited to wrap up this house in 6 months (fingers crossed!) 

[NastyWoman]

Jan 3, 2017 20:43:33 GMT -5 taz157 said:

Jan 3, 2017 20:05:08 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

My first EPIC FAIL of the year!!!

I had this really cute kitchen clock that looked like a crazy chicken with long spindly legs one of which served as a pendulum. It just didn't keep time anymore --- it worked but not like anything that keeps the correct time. So I asked for and received a new clock for Xmas, this time an owl clock.

Should be easy right: take down old clock, throw out old clock, hang new clock... Weeellll, those clocks really look very cute together and now I have two kitchen clocks, one of which actually keeps time  I just don't think this counts as decluttering. And did I mention that I have a very small kitchen with (perfectly fine working) clocks on the stove and the microwave

Your punishment is to provide pictures. 😜😎

 I have one but I don't have a friggin' clue on how to post it.

[dee27]

I worked on tabulating information for our taxes. I don't mind doing the grunt work so DH can type the numbers into Excel.

[bean29]

We folded a load of towels last night and Started another load. I did take 2 boxes of ornaments off the tree. That was all I had the energy for as I worked until 7:30 last night. Finished W-2's and 2016 Federal reporting 940/941 for 2 companies at work. I still have to do 1099's and Financial year end reporting.

[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
Declutter your freezer and plan meals for the month ahead – it’s all in today’s challenge. Oh, and get rid of those UFOs (Unidentified Frozen Objects) while you’re at it!

[bean29]

Well, I don't have the company 1099's done, but I just added vacation and sick time for DH's two employees. He always gave them Vacay/Sick time but he did not track it in the past, and one of the employees indicated to him that the PT employee claimed he never gave her time off. So now their pay stubs will show vacation and sick time accumulated and used.  

I put a load of my laundry away this morning and I refreshed DH's laundry that was in the dryer.  He had it all on hangers by the time I was leaving for work. 

TCU I suppose I could tackle the freezer.  The French Door one if very full right now - DH put half of the Prime Rib roast he bought for Christmas in the Freezer, so it is pretty full.  My upstairs fridge is a side by side and the freezer is useless.  Anything that is actually in that freezer is probably very old.  I will make it a mission to empty it out.

I cleaned up my fridge last week b/c the light bulbs burned out. I had to take stuff out to change the light bulbs, so I cleaned up the shelves and tossed some old food while I was at it. 

I am ignoring #1, and I don't really have a place to put a donation bin, so I grab a box or a bag when I am gathering stuff up to go to Goodwill and take it right away.  There is a goodwill close to the house and close to my work, so I don't hold on to it for real long before I take it.  If I need a place to stash something temporarily, I have two hampers in the laundry room closet, that have hangers and blankets and stuff (not laundry) in them, so I will temporarily put good will items there once in awhile. We have hampers in each bedroom and the family bath - I just gather the dirty clothing up as I start the load in the washing machine.

[dee27]

The house is officially undecorated from Christmas! I found the box of items that belong in the great room where DH left it in the garage. PT was so brutal today that I felt like I should scream Uncle. It is going to be a tough ride for two months, but if I can decrease my pain and gain more mobility, I will not need surgery.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 4, 2017 14:00:53 GMT -5 dee27 said:

The house is officially undecorated from Christmas! I found the box of items that belong in the great room where DH left it in the garage. PT was so brutal today that I felt like I should scream Uncle. It is going to be a tough ride for two months, but if I can decrease my pain and gain more mobility, I will not need surgery.

dee27

[Chocolate Lover]

Jan 3, 2017 17:32:49 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Jan 3, 2017 14:23:38 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

All the drawer and shelf liners are now in the kitchen armoire, that job is done !

A shout out for shelf and drawer liners.  As I clean out and wipe down drawers and shelves for the move, I am noticing how in good of shape the drawers and shelf interiors are, even after 11 years.  This is the type I use, purchased at Wally World: shelf liner

I purchased the same for our new camper.  Looking forward to it's success in there as well. 

Geez, what kind of abuse do you subject your drawers and cabinet shelves too?! 

My lazy tail has never used liners of any kind and they all seem fine to me.

[dee27]

Jaguar, I like that type of shelf liner especially for the cabinet where I store pots and pans. The shelf liner prevents metal marks on the floor of the cabinet.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 4, 2017 14:36:41 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Jan 3, 2017 17:32:49 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

A shout out for shelf and drawer liners.  As I clean out and wipe down drawers and shelves for the move, I am noticing how in good of shape the drawers and shelf interiors are, even after 11 years.  This is the type I use, purchased at Wally World: shelf liner

I purchased the same for our new camper.  Looking forward to it's success in there as well. 

Geez, what kind of abuse do you subject your drawers and cabinet shelves too?! 

My lazy tail has never used liners of any kind and they all seem fine to me.

Liners help avoid stains, dings, scratches, etc.

[dee27]

Thank you, Iggy.

[Chocolate Lover]

Jan 4, 2017 14:50:38 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Jan 4, 2017 14:36:41 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Geez, what kind of abuse do you subject your drawers and cabinet shelves too?! 

My lazy tail has never used liners of any kind and they all seem fine to me.

Liners help avoid stains, dings, scratches, etc.

Again, how much abuse are you putting them through?  

Maybe I'm not nitpicky enough to get this one. I've never been worried about what the inside of that stuff looks like, I have enough to do keeping the outside of it all pretty.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 4, 2017 15:18:29 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Jan 4, 2017 14:50:38 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Liners help avoid stains, dings, scratches, etc.

Again, how much abuse are you putting them through?  

Maybe I'm not nitpicky enough to get this one. I've never been worried about what the inside of that stuff looks like, I have enough to do keeping the outside of it all pretty.

If you've ever moved into an older place with drawer or cupboard shelf stains, etc., you'd understand.  I want to avoid doing damage to our $5,000+ custom cabinets for resale value. 

[Chocolate Lover]

Jan 4, 2017 16:36:21 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Jan 4, 2017 15:18:29 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Again, how much abuse are you putting them through?  

Maybe I'm not nitpicky enough to get this one. I've never been worried about what the inside of that stuff looks like, I have enough to do keeping the outside of it all pretty.

If you've ever moved into an older place with drawer or cupboard shelf stains, etc., you'd understand.  I want to avoid doing damage to our $5,000+ custom cabinets for resale value. 

 I've lived in ancient places, craptastic places and have never once noticed the conditions of the insides of the cabinets and drawers unless they weren't in working order. 

Keeping it pretty to sell it later seems reasonable to me but it's honestly never something I'd notice. 

[busymom]

I did my IRA contribution for 2016 today, so that's done. I'm also making arrangements to get one set up for DD. (She's got a retirement fund set up through her job, but isn't maximizing it, as she's paying off student loans.)

I'm catching up on all the laundry, and making a pot of chicken & wild rice soup tonight. The temps are continuing to drop here. It'll be several days before it's "comfortable" outside.

[naughtybear]

I don't know what I am looking for so maybe you guys can help. I am def. and list maker but have my lists and things to do on the pc and a notebook (because I am disorganized like that) I am looking for a journal/notebook something to write it in one place and be able to see it or add to it neatly. Then mark as done, but it will need to be something small to be able to carry with me or be handy by me. A notebook doesn't help as I find myself writing on all the pages. Something that can or is already somewhat organized in sections for me.

[saveinla]

Jan 4, 2017 16:47:08 GMT -5 naughtybear said:

I don't know what I am looking for so maybe you guys can help. I am def. and list maker but have my lists and things to do on the pc and a notebook (because I am disorganized like that) I am looking for a journal/notebook something to write it in one place and be able to see it or add to it neatly. Then mark as done, but it will need to be something small to be able to carry with me or be handy by me. A notebook doesn't help as I find myself writing on all the pages. Something that can or is already somewhat organized in sections for me.

If you have a smartphone, you can use the notes option on it to make lists. Or you can use the Evernote app and it will sync them between your computer and your phone automatically.