2017 Declutter and Organization Thread

[naughtybear]

I don't want to use electronics, I like good old pen and paper.

[Chocolate Lover]

I use Google Keep for notes/to do lists. I probably could sync with my computer but I only ever use it on the phone.  That's not a pen and paper option though. Maybe Knee Deep in Water Chloe can tell us where she got her notebook. 

[dee27]

Here you go, Naughty.

www.officesupply.com/office-supplies/desk-organizers/desktop-organizer-accessories/index-cards/oxford-ruled-spiral-bound-index-cards/p2105.html?ref=pla&cid=ad-pla-non-brand&product_id=2105&adpos=1o6&creative=8262038

[busymom]

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 prefer a written list (that's what I do), I buy one of those planners at the calendar store every year.  Each page shows an entire week, with spaces to write in whatever you need to get done.  There's not a huge amount of space (each page is 7 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches), but I like that it's a week at a glance.  Use whatever works best for you. 

[busymom]

Here's an example of one I like:

[debthaven]

Naughtybear I'd go into a well-stocked office supply store and look around until you find something you like, in a size you like.

Back to work tomorrow. I'm caught up with laundry. DS3 goes back to school this weekend.

Still to do by Mon
- set up new work email (w DH)
- take down Christmas (Fri)
- bank (Fri)
- shopping (mall + supermarket) w DS3 (Fri)
- plan new course (ongoing)
- rewrite letter for lawyer

ETA: As of tonight we're down to 9 types of fancy tea! The Jordanian tea is probably next. That will take a while (it's quite a big package).

[whoisjohngalt]

Jan 4, 2017 10:34:17 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

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!

I am so going to do that on Saturday.  Especially since my schedule is going to get a lot busier.

I will probably going to be throwing more food away

[whoisjohngalt]

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. 

Yes!!

I always considered liners so 1950's until we bought this house.  I went to Walmart and bought $50 worth of them  - that was  my YM version of redoing all the kitchen cabinets.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 4, 2017 18:59:53 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

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

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. 

Yes!!

I always considered liners so 1950's until we bought this house.  I went to Walmart and bought $50 worth of them  - that was  my YM version of redoing all the kitchen cabinets.

I love the product I posted about on the prior page (gone are the days of my mother's sticky liner back when).  It's easily lifted out, and, in most cases, rinsed and dried off to re-use.  The only issue I've run into is in the laundry room, where the detergent made a bit of a drippy mess and leaked quite a bit in the cabinet and damaged it a bit.  Thankfully the laundry room cabinets are a Home Depot model, and not custom. 

[wvugurl26]

I decluttered the remaining Christmas presents. They have all gone to their recipients now. The pantry has been organized a bit.

[startsmart]

Still raining here but I did manage to rake the front lawn a little and clear the drain right in front of my house so the leaves don't block water flow. 

Little things getting done are making me giddy - I bought a laptop cover awhile back and it was just off by an inch on each side. Yesterday I finally cut out the middle for the apple and then applied it and trimmed the edges. It looks so good! 

I also got my butt in gear for the quarter round trim and most of the hallway is done. I have one angle to do tonight on my weird entryway and then it should be "done" and ready for caulk and painting. Still, the trim and walls are SO dirty thanks to the dogs that I think I'll need to do a deep clean before I paint. Once the hallway is complete I'll keep going into the living room. I'll definitely need to pick up more quarter round soon because every room needs to be done and I only have 3 pieces left. 

My new rugs arrived today so I made a deal with myself that I can't unroll them until the living room and office are done with trim (2 rugs in 2 rooms) so that's going to keep me motivated to get this finished! 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I have liners in our camping trailer's cupboards. Those cupboards aren't high quality because they need to be light weight-wise. It's easy to dink and scratch them. 


naughtybear, I've gone back to this system because I've become annoyed with doing everything on my phone. There are people who make theirs incredibly artistic, but mine is pretty basic. I'm also part of a FB Group called Minimalist Bullet Journals.

[moneysquirrel]

Jan 2, 2017 9:32:45 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

Home/Personal

Taxes – write check and mail
Continue with progress -- ongoing
Take down Christmas items – weekend
Pack up more craft books and supplies to give away to a friend of a friend. -- Packed up -- now have to get them delivered


School

Duty -- ongoing
Run off 7th test
Have field trip permission slip approved and run off
Place approved copy on web site -- by Friday -- Have to give them out to 2 more classes
Begin new projects for all classes -- by Friday -- Have a few other classes to see this week

Crafts – Some will take longer than one week. Ongoing projects

Finish pearl necklace project  -- Done
Continue crocheting baby gift -- Ongoing
Remake for future craft shows:
Toy soldier earrings (6 pairs) -- Done -- Still have to attached the findings but I won't do that until I need them for the craft shows.
Stone Drops (3)
Witch earrings (3) 

I have been crashing once at home.  Taking a nice little nap then getting a little done.  House is still organized so I feel good about that.  Almost time for bed.  I do need to get my schedule back on track.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

[startsmart]

Finish installing the quarter round in the hallway last night, including the weird corner. Today I think I'll work on the living/dining rooms because I believe there are only 11 cuts in there BUT I need to install 2 pieces of baseboard with weird angles. 

My personal helper/assistant for the house cancelled again this week (she's been sick) which is annoying but gives me more flexibility today to get stuff done. I really need to go to the post office for K's package and then finish up these ornaments.

[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
I know, I know – no one wants to deal with whatever’s under their sink. Be brave and conquer your under-the-sink fear today by completing this challenge.

[Lizard Queen]

That bullet journal looks neat, but waaay too complicated for the likes of me.  I need something with training wheels.  

naughtybear, I created my own custom planner with one of those half-size 3-ring binders.  www.staples.com/Avery-Mini-5-Inch-Round-3-Ring-View-Binder-White-27726-/product_357737
I started with a 1 inch, and went down to 1/2 inch to better fit in my small, hipster purses.
 Avery makes dividers, paper, folders and planning pages to fit them.
Hmm, I found this on their site.  Kinda shows their products:
www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/Avery-Mini-Organization-Landing-Page.htm?N=0&refchannel=c042fd03ab30a110VgnVCM1000002118140aRCRD
Plus, I got some calendar pages and more folders and dividers from Target last year from their front-of-the-store-bins selection.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 5, 2017 14:16:58 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

That bullet journal looks neat, but waaay too complicated for the likes of me.  I need something with training wheels.  

naughtybear , I created my own custom planner with one of those half-size 3-ring binders.  www.staples.com/Avery-Mini-5-Inch-Round-3-Ring-View-Binder-White-27726-/product_357737
I started with a 1 inch, and went down to 1/2 inch to better fit in my small, hipster purses.
 Avery makes dividers, paper, folders and planning pages to fit them.
Hmm, I found this on their site.  Kinda shows their products:
www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/Avery-Mini-Organization-Landing-Page.htm?N=0&refchannel=c042fd03ab30a110VgnVCM1000002118140aRCRD
Plus, I got some calendar pages and more folders and dividers from Target last year from their front-of-the-store-bins selection.

Lizard Queen, these are adorable!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 5, 2017 14:16:58 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

That bullet journal looks neat, but waaay too complicated for the likes of me.  I need something with training wheels.  

Do you mean mine or the one in the link? I would agree that mine is a bit more advanced than the original intent.  The concept is actually quite simple, which is one of the reasons I appreciate it.  

[Lizard Queen]

Jan 5, 2017 14:31:23 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Jan 5, 2017 14:16:58 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

That bullet journal looks neat, but waaay too complicated for the likes of me.  I need something with training wheels.  

Do you mean mine or the one in the link? I would agree that mine is a bit more advanced than the original intent.  The concept is actually quite simple, which is one of the reasons I appreciate it.  

Both actually.  I've tried to learn about the concept, but my eyes glazed over.  It's a personal problem.  With dealing with my mom the last couple of years, I've developed some issues.  So I need extremely simple and straightforward right now.

[chiver78]

Jan 5, 2017 14:03:13 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
Day 4 – TACKLE THE FREEZER

Day 5 – UNDER THE SINK
I know, I know – no one wants to deal with whatever’s under their sink. Be brave and conquer your under-the-sink fear today by completing this challenge.

I have a request - can you post this earlier in the day?   I work 2nd shift now, and am home until 1 every day. I could have easily pounded this one out this morning. I will do it tomorrow now, and still have day 4 to do. just thinking ahead to once I've caught up! 

[debthaven]

Chiver, I think you're on FB... if you "like" or "join" Peter Walsh's page (can't remember) you'll see them on your feed as soon as he posts them. But he's on the west coast, and he doesn't post them very early. 

They're also on youtube

[Sharon]

[Jaguar]

Congratulations Sharon,

[chiver78]

Jan 5, 2017 18:29:31 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Chiver, I think you're on FB... if you "like" or "join" Peter Walsh's page (can't remember) you'll see them on your feed as soon as he posts them. But he's on the west coast, and he doesn't post them very early. 

They're also on youtube

I am on fb, thanks for the tip. I thought these were from a book or something.... I guess I'll just be a day behind everyone else. all good!

[countrygirl2]

I have my last bank statement ready to record in QuickBooks for the rentals.

I will need to split the Texas Revenue and sales from the LLC, they will still

need to be filed on a schedule C, most is done and get ready for taxes. This

year hope to sell last 2 properties down there.

Sorted DD's papers need to record and reconcile her last bank statement

and check with IRS if group home ever filed her annual reconciliation

report, they had not last time I checked.

We ordered her a new medicare card, in November have never received it.

Have to have her report ready for attorney for her guardianship in March,

filed every 2 years.

Bring MIL's guardianship up to date, both are just 1 month behind, hers

is simple.

I made sure all bills are paid and all rents are in and deposited but one,

all our renters are doing great, it will be here.

I can do most of these in a couple of hours.

Get on the phone and get husbands first RMD done, cleaning out 1 small

401k this year, putting 20% of it toward taxes, since we have rental income

and have to make quarterly deposits anyway.

Getting ready to scan meds for case worker on behavior issues with DD.

Pick up meds tomorrow for trip.

Have plenty of food for dog.

Leaving Monday on 2 or 3 week trip with DD to points south and west. Have

everything in good shape to go.  Just some minor cleaning in motorhome and

put in clothing, cosmetics, some foodstuffs already out there and of course

little kittys stuff.

[debthaven]

Whoo hoo Sharon! Congratulations! I know how excited you are! 

[debthaven]

Still to do by Mon
- set up new work email (w DH, Fri) So relieved this is finally done!
- take down Christmas (Fri)
- shopping (mall + supermarket) w DS3 (Fri)
- bank (Fri)
- plan new course (ongoing)
- rewrite letter for lawyer

[dee27]

Congratulations Sharon!

[bean29]

We took the rest of the ornaments off the tree last night. Now we just have to pull everything out, and slide it back in (smallest boxes go in first to fit underneath stairs).