2018 Get Organized & Declutter Your Stuff

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Hi all, 
We've had a tough week emotionally. This has led to only maintenance of daily chores and nothing else. I am out of pity party-mode, so that's good. 
I'm grading tonight and tomorrow. Sunday, we have a family day. Monday, we have DH's appointment for his foot to remove his cast and assess the progress on healing. 

I hope you have a great weekend!
~~Chloe

[TheOtherMe]

It's been a difficult week for me also and my decluttering has also been put on hold.  I've just kicked everything down the road.

[ambellamy]

Today I didn't declutter, but I FINALLY finished painting the last ceiling (the largest - living room, dinning room, and kitchen combo) today!!!! As I moved furniture, I cleaned underneath and swept the tile too.

So it was a big accomplishment day for me... and now i'm tired and refuse to do anything but sit and not lift my right arm any higher than typing height.

[dee27]

Jan 19, 2018 21:30:11 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Hi all, 
We've had a tough week emotionally. This has led to only maintenance of daily chores and nothing else. I am out of pity party-mode, so that's good. 
I'm grading tonight and tomorrow. Sunday, we have a family day. Monday, we have DH's appointment for his foot to remove his cast and assess the progress on healing. 

I hope you have a great weekend!
~~Chloe

I hope your DH gets good news about his foot.

[debthaven]

Good luck to your DH Knee Deep in Water Chloe

[tcu2003]

Day 19 of #31Days2GetOrganized – Cookbooks – Calling all the Julia Childs out there! When’s the last time you cooked Ethiopian flatbread – better yet, how did you get that cookbook devoted entirely to Ethiopian flatbreads? Let’s cook up some great organization today!

[tcu2003]

Day 20 of #31Days2GetOrganized – The Area Under Any One Sink – Choose a sink, any sink! No one wants to deal with the black hole under the sinks in their home. Be brave and conquer your ‘under your sink fear’ today. Let’s hear which sink you choose!

[TheOtherMe]

I have made an accomplishment this morning.  I got the Drano in the bathtub drain.  The drain is flowing again.  Success!

[nidena]

Jan 19, 2018 21:25:32 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Jan 19, 2018 8:28:37 GMT -5 nidena said:

For today/Friday:

Drop off trade-ins at UPS store
weigh-in at gym
study group
tutor training
Grad School resume (anyone have a template or have a suggestion for a very generic one? I don't know how much of my 20 years in the AF they'd actually care about)

As in you're applying to grad school?
I have a CV template that public universities use for applying as an adjunct professor. 

Is that what you mean? 

I'm applying as a student, yes.  I'm already enrolled, as an undergrad, and have applied to take part in their 3/2 program.  The resume and letters of rec are formalities that need to be satisfied.  I don't think it has to be too lengthy but I do know that it will probably need to be formatted differently since I'm non-traditional.

[nidena]

Jan 20, 2018 8:21:10 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Day 19 of #31Days2GetOrganized – Cookbooks – Calling all the Julia Childs out there! When’s the last time you cooked Ethiopian flatbread – better yet, how did you get that cookbook devoted entirely to Ethiopian flatbreads? Let’s cook up some great organization today!

Had to chuckle.  I just sent a Nigella Lawson cookbook--How to be a Domestic Goddess--to my cousin.  I've had it for 13 years and have used it, maybe, twice.

[nidena]

This weekend's list:

B. Ethics--read case
B. Comm--write letter
P/O Mgmt--read email
Macro--read chapter
Branding--hw #1

Stitch Fix review/feedback

[sealy]

Today I plan to clean my kitchen and box up a bunch of dishes. I’m tired of my young adult kids using every single dish in the house instead of washing them.

[nikiz628]

Jan 20, 2018 11:50:42 GMT -5 sealy said:

Today I plan to clean my kitchen and box up a bunch of dishes. I’m tired of my young adult kids using every single dish in the house instead of washing them.

I got my kitchen back in living order today too. H did his best to stay on top of things while I was sick, but let's face it, no one cleans at my level! 

[Lizard Queen]

DH got Christmas put away--finally, and my mental block lifted, so I got back to decluttering. I needed it out of the way, but he and the kids put everything up in the first place, so I didn't remember where everything belonged. So nice to reclaim some of the house.

[dogmom]

I random cleaned again yesterday.  Productive but not focused.

I chose a few spots that were just making me crazy... like the spice rack in the kitchen.  It's there for decoration only.  Took it off the wall and washed all the cute little jars.  (real spices are organized in the cabinet).  Washed the wall behind it.    Sanitized the bathroom, changed the window curtain and shower curtains.  Changed the sheets on our bed and waxed the headboard.  Cleaned all mirrors in the house.

ETA, I'm looking at cleaning all doors and door knobs...and handles.  Cold and Flu season.  Probably will wipe down light switches too.
Contemplating taking down the window coverings in the kitchen and washing those.  Possibly will go thru the furnace room, clean the floor, get rid of a pair of boots DH pulled out of his closet and hasn't done anything with.  (I don't think they fit him anymore, but will ask first)
Chloe, hope your husband is okay.  Well wishes on their way. 

[debthaven]

This weekend (updated again)
- create online class spaces X 2 (first-years)/Sun
- bank 

DH has the car but I'll try to go to the bank when he gets back

I also reorganized some things in our bathroom. For some strange reason, I have the left of of the medicine chest, but the right side of the vanity. I switched DH's and my stuff in the vanity so now I have the left side of both, and he has the right side of both.

I also replaced most of my lost pens/highlighters at the office supply store yesterday, and picked up a few more boxes for the basement.

[Blonde Granny]

If I put something into the donate/garage sale box and I allowed to take it back out again?

[nidena]

Jan 21, 2018 8:45:30 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

If I put something into the donate/garage sale box and I allowed to take it back out again?

Only if you really, really need it.  

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Hello declutterers!

I'm baaaaack 

One of my new years resolutions is to completely declutter/reorganize the first floor, paint everything 1st floor needs painting (plus hallways and stairs).

So now I'm grappling with the best way to accomplish this goal, and I'd like to put a DOC on it for June first. Maybe the declutter/reorg by May 1st and a month for painting? Or April 1st and 2 months painting?

Things have continued to be extremely hectic for me, and this semester is one of the fullest. I'm taking 2 advanced (and unrequired!) stats classes, teaching a class I never took and the department is lagging on getting me the required books (!), plus there was a book edition update, and I'm trying to rework the syllabus to include reading requirements for both editions and I have neither. The department head is on sabbatical and the person covering is one of the worst teachers I have ever had - just have the students tell you where it is - is her response.......

I continue on with my FT job with travel, and I have 2 academic presentations to give at national conferences before the semester ends. Plus other research going on......just to say, pretty busy.

I have continued on with a weekly cleaner the past 3 years, 4? So that keeps me on track. I question her thoroughness...for example...something fell under the couch last night and it was super dusty under there, but the price is pretty cheap - she has not raised rates, and it is almost worth the money just to keep me on schedule with everything needing a sorting and resolution at least once per week.

Overall, things have remained even keel over these years. Household conditions are sometimes worse, sometimes better.....but still I dream of walking into an Ikea catalog home every evening.......that has not happened. My desk area was looking really bad due to all the schooling and one task I've been doing is moving all my academic books and papers to work. I am focusing on the time where I will not have to work most weekends.

Two bigger todos towards goal 1:

• Round up outdated electronic stuff and take to a special recycling center. You have to pay to drop it off, but it's the right thing to do
• Corralling paperwork, filing, keeping on track with financial papers, etc. I am super bad at this.

Trying to figure out the best approach for these. One of the issues with electronics is a bunch of family photos lost that I've been wanting to try to get a professional to go through and find them. When kids were younger.....there is a 3 year gap with no photos and that hurts.

For paperwork, I think that I will try to devote just 15 minutes per day every morning to going through it, organizing, completing tasks, etc. I think maybe I will do that through all of February, hope that that is done, and maintain the clarity, and move on to other declutter/reorg in March - or sooner if paperwork is done.....

Would appreciate any ideas or input on this plan.....I know 15 minutes is not a lot, but don't have a super lot of time for anything, but think if I can just consistently address this one thing (that is really out of control!) that will be a good start.

[debthaven]

If you are consistent with the 15 min/day, you'll see results Rukh O'Rorke. Try to stick to one or two projects at a time though.

[Sam_2.0]

I did it. 3 full tubs purged and put in the basement. Only the clothes I actually wear left. Well, what's in the laundry currently hasn't been added in either, but that's one basket full. My capsule wardrobe was hiding there all along

[nidena]

Jan 20, 2018 10:59:04 GMT -5 nidena said:

This weekend's list:

B. Ethics--read case
B. Comm--write letter
P/O Mgmt--read email
Macro--read chapter
Branding--hw #1

Stitch Fix review/feedback

Thankfully, two that I didn't do this weekend aren't due until Wed/Thur.  As for Macro...no book yet.  But I did make it to the grocery store today--the Commissary is set to close on Wed if the shutdown isn't resolved before then.  I made it to my Buddhism Discussion meeting, reconnected with current friends, and made new ones since we had guests in attendance.  Also done is finding interesting tidbits that relate to the book we will be discussing at tomorrow's Book Club get together.  A productive day, if I say so myself.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

I paid 3 bills today and made a huge mess, lol! There was one bill really wanted to get in mail today, and took me an hour or two to find it, because I was opening and sorting everything rather than shoving from one undifferentiated pile into another.

Since 2 of those I would have *missed* and ended up paying late fees, very worth the mess.  One I paid with only an hour or so to go before penalty   ...
Just going to corral into folders to pick up tomorrow for a more abbreviated session.

Did put a ton into recycling so that is always rewarding....

I think every piece of junk mail should come with $1 check to pay for your time in dealing with it.....

[TheOtherMe]

Most of the mail I receive is junk mail.  I receive most bills online.  I have my accounts set so I am notified by email when they are available. 

Makes it easy when I get the bill because I can pretty much tell what is junk mail (doesn't make it in the house) and what mail I need to open.  I tend to pay the bills I get by mail when I receive them.  I don't like late fees. 

I have a cleaning lady who comes for 2 hours each month.  She doesn't clean as thoroughly as the previous one who came for 3 hours and charged twice as much.  The previous one moved out of state without telling me, so this I will take.  She does a great job in the bathroom.  I hate cleaning the shower, so it's worth it to me to have her.

The previous one moved the rugs and couch and vacuumed under them.  This one doesn't.  I'm sure she would if I paid her more but I am doing that myself.  I also got rid of one couch so there isn't as much furniture to move. 

[finnime]

Last week's agenda:

1. Make 45 servings of chicken and dumplings, deliver by 3. Monday
2. Turn in paperwork for DH to get on kidney transplant program
3. Turn in docs to attorney for case to be heard in early February. Pay attorney.
4. Purge trash MBR, DR, LR
5. Clean out refrigerator
6. Vacuum, dust EVERYTHING
7. Wash Franklin the Dog
8. Apply for more jobs
9. Do heaps of laundry
10. Clean up spare bedroom

That should do it. Never did get to recovering DR chairs. I'd add that to list but I don't think I'll get to it. Heck,

11. Recover DR chair seats
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And so this past week seeps into a new week:

1. Purge trash in MBR,  DR, LR
2. Clean out refrigerator
3. Throw out unused and used up medicine bottles in MBR
4. Vacuum, dust EVERYTHING
5. Clean up spare bedroom
6. Recover DR chair seats

[moneysquirrel]

Jan 15, 2018 20:26:23 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

Updating the list January Goals and Other Things: (in no particular order)

*Maintain progress
*Continue to declutter items
*Take items to school -- Packing up totes -- hope to deliver these 1/19
*Home Insurance-finally came in- will try to get this done this week
*Meeting (1/16)
*Dentist (1/23)
*Volunteer work (once this month)1/25
*Exercise 

Count me in for another one without the energy to do much this past week.

  Icy roads and freezing weather kept most of the area somewhat shut down.  Deep South is not equipped to deal with the extended icy conditions we had.  Could not deliver the items to school this week as it was closed.  Will continue to add to the items and plan to make a trip in the next few weeks.  I did not leave the house for several days. 

I wasn't in the mood to get things done.  Finally managed to finish shredding the papers from school.  Had student info on them so didn't want to just trash them.  Filled 10 small walmart type bags.  Will be adding that to my total of items.  Haven't done much else this week.  Laundry has been building up but we had low water pressure this week so I will catch up this week.  Figured that those who had jobs would be pulling from the system this weekend and I can wait.  

I need to get back to exercise this week -- between the doctor's appointment and the weather I just vegged out this past week.  I did,however, get quite a bit of beading done and knocked several items off my beading to-do list. 

[busymom]

Good Morning Kids!  Contractor took another look Saturday at my small leak in the bathroom, & thinks he's got it figured out.  He was supposed to be here in half & hour or so, but just texted me that he'll be a couple of hours late.  (I suspect a bad case of watching football.)  

We've got what's supposed to be a big sNOwstorm arriving today.  So far, so good, (no sNOw), but I've got a list of things to do around here.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Jan 22, 2018 10:44:16 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Money
do up a new budget/start paying off debts
this will be evolving as my pay and payments are going to fluctuate across the year in amounts I can't accurately anticipate so I will need to rework this at least a few times. will have to start paying on student loans but will get a raise/promotion about the same time (I think!!)

Career
finish phd

• Defend, submit, graduation paperwork
• Complete SEM course
• Complete non-parametric course

publish 5 articles
submit to 3 conferences

Household
Completely declutter/reorganize the 1st floor.
Paint 1st floor and stairway and halls
front and back porches and deck - repair and paint

Family
More time together, activities - this will a tough sell, lol!

Social
Get togethers that are not research related - maybe with folks who don't do research.

Health:
more fresh fruit and salads, water 
buy new running shoes and start jogging again 
Up the yoga
Maybe go back to weight training? If I have any time....

Now - I need to get a planner and starting outlining the path to achieving all this. I may not have a great success rate, but if I accomplish a good chunk, I will be satisfied.

Copying my new years resolution over here, just for my personal reference.....need to keep myself balanced between household/career and education and family and personal/health goals so I want the big picture in front of me from time to time for framing purposes.

I've picked the decluttering as first goal, as stated previously. I've bolded those things that I'm working hard on, and italicized those that I'm trying to tag team habits with. I'm going to tag team my financial/paperwork decluttering with yoga, and do both each morning as the start of the day. 

I've accidentally gotten myself hooked on caffeine again, so need to start tapering off. Being caffeine addicted really cuts into productive morning time for me as I deal with waking up in withdrawal, and then serving the mistress of addiction with my first tasks....

Todays Todos
15 minutes yoga
15 minutes paperwork
Read SEM literature on train to and from work
final edits to defense ppt
Do SEM homework today
Printout nonparametric readings

[snapdragon]

I finally got the final chair done and the bolts put in! It has only taken me 6(?)months to finally get this done. I have also been very slow to start or finish things right now so I will take the chair as a win. 

I need to re-start working on picking things up and getting them out of the house. I have several things started but I need to get going on it due to necessary things that I need to get replaced - *Water Heater*. 

Everyone keep on plugging away.

[Iggy aka IG]

Looking good, everyone!

Didn't accomplish much, as we were out of town overnight Saturday:

3 loads of laundry (DH did 2 on his day off Friday, yay!)
A boatload of dishes
Meal prepped for this week:  Baked a crust-less quiche, 7-layer salad, mock tater (it uses cauliflower) salad, boiled eggs, turkey, cheese and pickle roll-ups, and portioned out mixed nuts.
Read up on the keto lifestyle.  Interesting!

This week I have GOT to focus on the treadmill.