2017 Declutter and Organization Thread

[plugginaway22]

Yay, congrats to the new Grandmas, Sharon and Debt!

[debthaven]

Sharon, when is the baby due? Ours is due early June.

I took DS3 to the mall. I'm happy because I usually get a token gift for the school Admins I deal with. Now I deal with 7 of them, and I really didn't want to spend a lot. The Lindt store was having a sale: 20% off if you bought 10 big tablets. I bought 10, so the 7 tablets cost about $11. I wrapped them up nicely, I'll bring them in on Monday. It's not much but it's something.

[tcu2003]

Sorry, chiver. Debt is correct - Peter Walsh is on the west coast, so the new challenges aren't typically posted until 9am central time. Yesterday I got busy with work and didn't remember to check until later in the day. I've got a 9am meeting today, so it'll probably be 10am central time before I can look.

[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)
Home offices and dreaded paperwork can be overwhelming. Today’s challenge has you starting small with just a drawer or two to declutter and organize. Start with ten minutes and see how you do.

[bean29]

Lol, my office is the worst room in the house, but it is not the desk drawers that need work - it is the filing that I have not done that needs to be tackled. 

If I want to make a "to do item" for myself, I just schedule it on my phone calendar. Then I get a reminder to do it. Works pretty well for me. Paper lists don't work. For some reason I just ignore them. Tasks on the list may or may not get done.

Yesterdays task was to find the rent invoices for my kids college apt and pay them. My son suggested I just look at the lease, which I found first and the info was there along with receipts indicating that each kid paid 100 advance "spring" rent. Then I remembered where I probably put the invoices and I found them. Wrote the check last night and DD took it with her.

[startsmart]

Finally got to the post office Thursday and shipped out the box. I'm working on the ornaments and had to make more modge podge because apparently I'm out. 7 more are finished and in the box, 4 are drying for the final time and 8 need another layer. 
I finally met up with the guy who hit my car in December and he gave me a cashier's check to cover the whole repair! 

Can't wait to get that on the schedule and have this over and done with! 

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 - not enough to do right now
scan 2016 files from office and add to shredding box

[Jaguar]

I went to Canadian Tire and got shelf liners for my dish cupboards, it's been darn awful looking since I moved here so it seriously needs it. I also got a new expandable bamboo cutlery tray.

[Jaguar]

I already done the cutlery drawer and shit what a difference already. It looks 1000 times better with the new liner and bamboo cutlery tray. Shit I should have done this sooner. I also decluttered that drawer and got rid of a lot of useless crap.

Onward and Upward I go !

[whoisjohngalt]

Jan 6, 2017 11:07:34 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

Day 6 – TWO DRAWERS IN YOUR OFFICE (OR ELSEWHERE)
Home offices and dreaded paperwork can be overwhelming. Today’s challenge has you starting small with just a drawer or two to declutter and organize. Start with ten minutes and see how you do.

Crap!  Without even doing the first three days, and only trying to do days 4, 5 and 6 - I am still behind!

May be I can catch up this weekend.  does he posts tasks for weekends too?

[Sharon]

Jan 6, 2017 9:23:26 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Sharon, when is the baby due? Ours is due early June.

I took DS3 to the mall. I'm happy because I usually get a token gift for the school Admins I deal with. Now I deal with 7 of them, and I really didn't want to spend a lot. The Lindt store was having a sale: 20% off if you bought 10 big tablets. I bought 10, so the 7 tablets cost about $11. I wrapped them up nicely, I'll bring them in on Monday. It's not much but it's something.

DD says end of August.  So she gets to be fat, hot and miserable all summer long.

[chiver78]

Jan 6, 2017 22:51:06 GMT -5 Sharon said:

Jan 6, 2017 9:23:26 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Sharon, when is the baby due? Ours is due early June.

I took DS3 to the mall. I'm happy because I usually get a token gift for the school Admins I deal with. Now I deal with 7 of them, and I really didn't want to spend a lot. The Lindt store was having a sale: 20% off if you bought 10 big tablets. I bought 10, so the 7 tablets cost about $11. I wrapped them up nicely, I'll bring them in on Monday. It's not much but it's something.

DD says end of August.  So she gets to be fat, hot and miserable all summer long.

that's pretty much what my mom said about her first pregnancy - I'm a Labor Day weekend baby.   her due date was 8/31. 

[Jaguar]

Well I'm short one roll of shelf liner, WTH was I thinking. I'll pick it up next week sometime.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 6, 2017 23:13:37 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

Well I'm short one roll of shelf liner, WTH was I thinking. I'll pick it up next week sometime.

I have a bit extra; it's taupe. Do you want it? 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 6, 2017 22:51:06 GMT -5 Sharon said:

Jan 6, 2017 9:23:26 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Sharon, when is the baby due? Ours is due early June.

I took DS3 to the mall. I'm happy because I usually get a token gift for the school Admins I deal with. Now I deal with 7 of them, and I really didn't want to spend a lot. The Lindt store was having a sale: 20% off if you bought 10 big tablets. I bought 10, so the 7 tablets cost about $11. I wrapped them up nicely, I'll bring them in on Monday. It's not much but it's something.

DD says end of August.  So she gets to be fat, hot and miserable all summer long.

That's why I give birth in January. 

[Jaguar]

Jan 6, 2017 23:40:57 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Jan 6, 2017 23:13:37 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

Well I'm short one roll of shelf liner, WTH was I thinking. I'll pick it up next week sometime.

I have a bit extra; it's taupe. Do you want it? 

No mine is pale green and blue with white.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 6, 2017 21:11:48 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Jan 6, 2017 11:07:34 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

Day 6 – TWO DRAWERS IN YOUR OFFICE (OR ELSEWHERE)
Home offices and dreaded paperwork can be overwhelming. Today’s challenge has you starting small with just a drawer or two to declutter and organize. Start with ten minutes and see how you do.

Crap!  Without even doing the first three days, and only trying to do days 4, 5 and 6 - I am still behind!

May be I can catch up this weekend.  does he posts tasks for weekends too?

That's it. You are hereby assigned the task of Cleaning Under the Sink. You will have it cleaned by Sunday at noon. Do not miss the deadline. 

[debthaven]

Yes he posts tasks for every day in January, including weekends.

[tcu2003]

Jan 7, 2017 3:37:03 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Yes he posts tasks for every day in January, including weekends.

This. But you can catch up still over the weekend, or just or just do what you can do. I'm behind thanks to being sick that has me wiped out and overtired, so I'm also planning to catch up this weekend.

[debthaven]

Per the last PW challenge: My drawers are neat but I found a bunch of writing paper we don't need anymore, since DS3 is in college now. I'll bring it in for a colleague on Mon.

This said, I have all my old filofax refills from past years ... maybe it's time to get rid of them.

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2017 5:08:56 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Per the last PW challenge: My drawers are neat but I found a bunch of writing paper we don't need anymore, since DS3 is in college now. I'll bring it in for a colleague on Mon.

This said, I have all my old filofax refills from past years ... maybe it's time to get rid of them.

Now there's a blast from the past. Does anyone even have a filofax anymore? Haven't seen one in years.

And you sound like me when I was getting rid of my dad's old school supplies. Donated some back to the school and the rest to a special teacher's supply shop in the city I grew up in for low-cost school supplies. I unloaded about 90% of my dad's and my old stuff there. I know nothing about France so no idea if they have anything like this.

[whoisjohngalt]

Jan 6, 2017 23:46:58 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Jan 6, 2017 21:11:48 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Crap!  Without even doing the first three days, and only trying to do days 4, 5 and 6 - I am still behind!

May be I can catch up this weekend.  does he posts tasks for weekends too?

That's it. You are hereby assigned the task of Cleaning Under the Sink. You will have it cleaned by Sunday at noon. Do not miss the deadline. 

Yes ma'am!!!

[debthaven]

Does anyone even have a filofax anymore?

I do! It's a little one, it goes everywhere with me. To be clear, the old ones are all "used" ... they form a diary of sorts.

That special school paper is the only thing I won't use anymore. I'm a teacher so I use the rest of the school supplies.

DS3 is on his way back to college. I'll miss him.

This weekend
- plan new course (ongoing)
- rewrite letter for lawyer

[whoisjohngalt]

OK, so I am trying to start using cloth napkins instead of regular ones and instead of paper towels, thanks to gooddecisions .

Anyone who does that regularly - how do  you handle the washing part?  My husband is very much willing to try - but he is worried that our washing machine is going to get clogged with pieces of all kinds of food.

gooddecisions - I know you don't post on this thread, but I am tagging you here bc I didn't want to start a whole other thread about it

[plugginaway22]

Spent several hours de-cluttering piles of paperwork. Pitched, Paid, and filed most of it.  Also started file for tax documents we already have received.  Updated financial spreadsheets for 2017.  That task always feels good, like turning into a new chapter.  

Meanwhile, the kitchen is a mess, Christmas is not entirely packed away, and the bathroom is begging for attention.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 7, 2017 9:50:22 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

OK, so I am trying to start using cloth napkins instead of regular ones and instead of paper towels, thanks to gooddecisions .

Anyone who does that regularly - how do  you handle the washing part?  My husband is very much willing to try - but he is worried that our washing machine is going to get clogged with pieces of all kinds of food.

gooddecisions - I know you don't post on this thread, but I am tagging you here bc I didn't want to start a whole other thread about it

We use only cloth napkins. My theory for washing is that they go in the loads that match their color, so they're certainly not causing an extra load. Regarding the food on them, I just shake them out into the sink before I throw them in the laundry room. I've never had a problem with the washer clogging, and I've been using them for almost 20 years. 

[moneysquirrel]

Sharon -- Great news.

I have been able to maintain the progress made and I am keeping busy.  School is back in session so I will accomplish what I can each day/week/month without putting undo stress on my life.

Continuing to update:  New progress in red

Jan 4, 2017 22:11:44 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

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  Last load in washer -- all other items are packed away.
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   Done for a few weeks
Run off 7th test  -- Done
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  Forgot to post on web.  All students have paper copy 
Begin new projects for all classes -- by Friday -- Have a few other classes to see this week  - Done

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) (2) These take about 8 to 10 hours per pair depending on my eyes and fingers as I work them.  Goal is 3 so 2 more to get done.  No deadline as of yet.

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.

[startsmart]

Got up early this morning to take dog #2 to the mobile clinic for shots and now I'm working on cleaning the kitchen and living room. I need to add 2 small pieces of baseboard and then the quarter round trim throughout the living room. 

I did a little reorganization of my spice cabinet since there's so much crammed in that little cabinet. I also put lentils, rice and crackers in sealed storage so they stay fresh. 

there's a full week of rain ahead so my outdoor projects might need to happen next month. 

[jenpen]

Hey all, just dropping by to do one quick post.  I thought some of you might be interested in this item I came across on Evernote's blog:

"[Evernote] teamed up with Audible to offer you the New York Times bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo audiobook for free.

"Now, through January 31, 2017, residents of the US and Canada can get this book free from Audible and Evernote. There’s no purchase necessary, and you don’t have to be an Audible subscriber. If you don’t have an Audible account, you’ll be asked to create one, but you won’t be asked to subscribe, and you won’t need to enter a credit card number. Just follow this link and download the audio book, and begin your more organized 2017."

The link to the blog post, where you'll find the link to download the free audiobook, is:

blog.evernote.com/blog/2017/01/06/a-gift-to-help-you-start-the-year-more-organized-and-stay-that-way/

[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
I’m sure that shoes multiply in the dark of everyone’s closet! Today it’s all about decluttering the shoes you don’t love or wear or fit you. We’re starting with the one’s covered in dust ….. let’s do this.

[tcu2003]

Lena, we've been doing cloth napkins for 7-ish years and not had a problem with our washer. I shake any food out into the trash or sink, but there usually isn't large pieces of food, so not a big issue. I have a hanging wet bag on my oven that I put the cloth napkins (and kitchen towels and dishcloths) in until I'm ready to take them to the laundry room. Mine is similar in style to this:

www.etsy.com/listing/58755509/toasty-13x20-hanging-kitchen-wetbag
www.etsy.com