2018 Get Organized & Declutter Your Stuff

[nidena]

Under the umbrella of getting organized:
Paid for my Tricare
Scheduled my eye exam
Attempted to schedule my dental stuff but that's at a pause for now
Made a payment on my new doors
Cleared all the unnecessary (non-picture) files off my thumb drives.

I think I'm at the point of decluttering where the only thing left is to just move to a smaller house.  lol.  1500 sq ft is a bit too large for this single woman. 

[startsmart]

For those who were around last year you might remember all the work I did on the house. I had my old gutters removed, repaired dry rot on the siding and roof gables, replaced 7 windows and trim and then painted the exterior of my house. All good. Except the guy who quoted me for new gutters said he's "too busy" to do the work now and the latest quote I got was for 4 TIMES the amount. Super annoying. 

While the winter rain hasn't been too bad this season, I know I don't want to go another 5 months without gutters on so it's back to get more quotes and maybe contact the initial company and guilt them into doing it. 

I forgot on my list last night to take the rugs I'm not using anymore to Goodwill. They're all rolled up and taped so it should be easy-ish to get them in the car. 

[bean29]

Hi Guys.

I think Cleaning the Refrigerator sounds like a good goal for this week. I will talk to DH and DS about Trash bag tango. The room we should do that in is the Garage, but it is too cold to deal with RN.

I pushed everyone in my family to do all returns/exchanges at Boston Store/Penney's/Sears etc. (stores that may file bankruptcy). DH was running to Kohl's on NY Eve and I sent him with all my returns and orders to try to spend any Kohl's Cash they might give him. DD went with him, and he came home and said he may have $1-2 but he spent pretty much all the credit they gave him.  I exchanged a pair of shoes for DD this am.

I have a small tree to take down in the basement, and wash and put away Christmas towels and rugs from the bathroom.  I also want to pull the net lights off the bushes in front of the house this week. 

 

[Lizard Queen]

Jan 2, 2018 14:23:59 GMT -5 bean29 said:

Hi Guys.

I think Cleaning the Refrigerator sounds like a good goal for this week. I will talk to DH and DS about Trash bag tango. The room we should do that in is the Garage, but it is too cold to deal with RN.

I pushed everyone in my family to do all returns/exchanges at Boston Store/Penney's/Sears etc. (stores that may file bankruptcy). DH was running to Kohl's on NY Eve and I sent him with all my returns and orders to try to spend any Kohl's Cash they might give him. DD went with him, and he came home and said he may have $1-2 but he spent pretty much all the credit they gave him.  I exchanged a pair of shoes for DD this am.

I have a small tree to take down in the basement, and wash and put away Christmas towels and rugs from the bathroom.  I also want to pull the net lights off the bushes in front of the house this week. 

 

Is Kohl's struggling too? Cause that place is always packed in my town.

[countrygirl2]

I took son to eye ophthamalogist today, he has iritus, they got us in this AM but

we were there 2 hours, then another hour waiting for scripts so 3 hours plus an

1 1/2 hour drive there and back. I'm pooped again.

DIL did pack today, son said he would see she did. She has a lot. We have a closing

for next Monday, thanked the attorneys closer for helping us expedite it. I talked to

the seller, he is going to clear the driveway. Talked to propane supplier they are

going to try and get the application all done by Thursday afternoon. She said they

are covered up, its 26 below up there, so terrible. Son will go to base Monday

morning to report in then has to leave to get everything done, walk through, etc.

We had DIL where she could go to an English class in another town and enjoy

the interaction with others, she quit after awhile, doesn't like getting up or didn't

like the group or something, it was social. Also free put on by the school

corporation, didn't like it because it was informal and not instruction based.

I don't know she has friends for awhile then they become bitches, I don't know

anything about how she interacts with people. Maybe its just circumstance, time

will tell.

I have to clean everything, later, going to get carpets cleaned, they sure need it, their

cat is puking also like my old cat was on them. Was going to get them cleaned, going to

have the couch and cloth chair cleaned too.

[moneysquirrel]

I decided to hit the bathroom for my organization target today.  Got rid of a bunch of expired and outdated stuff and neaten up the cabinet, drawers and medicine cabinet.  Won't add my total to the signature until the week is over but am keeping track of this week's numbers.

[nidena]

Jan 2, 2018 16:59:03 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

I took son to eye ophthamalogist today, he has iritus, they got us in this AM but

we were there 2 hours, then another hour waiting for scripts so 3 hours plus an

1 1/2 hour drive there and back. I'm pooped again.

DIL did pack today, son said he would see she did. She has a lot. We have a closing

for next Monday, thanked the attorneys closer for helping us expedite it. I talked to

the seller, he is going to clear the driveway. Talked to propane supplier they are

going to try and get the application all done by Thursday afternoon. She said they

are covered up, its 26 below up there, so terrible. Son will go to base Monday

morning to report in then has to leave to get everything done, walk through, etc.

We had DIL where she could go to an English class in another town and enjoy

the interaction with others, she quit after awhile, doesn't like getting up or didn't

like the group or something, it was social. Also free put on by the school

corporation, didn't like it because it was informal and not instruction based.

I don't know she has friends for awhile then they become bitches, I don't know

anything about how she interacts with people. Maybe its just circumstance, time

will tell.

I have to clean everything, later, going to get carpets cleaned, they sure need it, their

cat is puking also like my old cat was on them. Was going to get them cleaned, going to

have the couch and cloth chair cleaned too.

Adjusting to a new base is almost always difficult, even more so when there's a culture hurdle too.  (I PCS'd a few times in my AF career).  If she's on facebook, you might suggest she look and see if there is a fb page for spouses at that particular location or even other, nearby, bases.  Something to give her an opportunity for regular interaction.  I admin a number of fb pages in my local area and that has helped me get to know a lot of people.  Plus, since it's so cold, very few are venturing out and many are camped out on their computers/phones (like I am now, here in DE, where it's in the teens).

I know we have our overall goals but what's your goal(s) for this week?
Mine is just getting all the stuff that I gathered up, out of nooks and crannies, and out of the house so that my office has completely clear space.

[startsmart]

whelp. first 2 items in the trash for this year! 

When I was moving the rugs I noticed a lot of bug debris - not unusual since they'd been stored under my bed BUT I think the wool rugs were the source of the gnats/bugs that I get now and then around the house. I'd cleaned out the pantry a dozen times since they looked like flour moths and everything has been cleaned and re-cleaned. But the rolled up rug had a lot of cocoons so I'm guessing they were laying eggs/eating the wool. Oh well, it was a clearanced floor model rug so into the trash! 

Living room is back to normal and the guest room is set up again. I pulled out the tubs to begin working on the fabric tonight. 

[ilovedolphins]

I don't know how many items I have left in my house that I need to get rid of but I guess I will aim for 1000 items in 2018.  It will be interesting to actually keep count and find out how much stuff you have that you don't really need.  If you are doing a paper count how do you count it...papers already in your house or do you also count junk mail that you throw away daily?

Declutter count:  95/1000.

[countrygirl2]

Yes, getting all this stuff gone is going to declutter big time. We were going to send more

furniture but to many boxes of stuff to load in the trailer, trucks, and cars so we will have

to take it up when the weather is better.

I took down the outside Christmas decorations, whoops missed a few! It's so cold the

lights that reflect on the house are frozen in the ground, same with deer so have to get

later. I put the extension cords and lights in the basement to get warm so I can roll them

up and put them away.  I forgot I had an extra heater on down there.  It is only about 68,

so I run one to warm it if I'm going to be down there.  My basement is looking great,

but will make it look better.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

My irregular daily list has grown a bit today, and I'm not sure I'm going to get through the whole thing. I still have my evening routine left to do, pick up DD from dance (one-hour round-trip), and I really only have three hours left in my dad. Sigh. Such glorious expectations for the day. 


If you're new to this group, I'm the type of person who has morning and evening routines written out, weekly chore lists, and monthly deep cleaning lists. If that's something that you're interested in seeing, let me know, and I'll post them. Otherwise, I won't bore those of you who have already put up with those. 




 

[Lizard Queen]

Jan 2, 2018 19:46:07 GMT -5 ilovedolphins said:

I don't know how many items I have left in my house that I need to get rid of but I guess I will aim for 1000 items in 2018.  It will be interesting to actually keep count and find out how much stuff you have that you don't really need.  If you are doing a paper count how do you count it...papers already in your house or do you also count junk mail that you throw away daily?

Declutter count:  95/1000.

I count things that were in the house the prior to the current calendar year, so the beginning of the year is easy. I don't count junk mail that arrives in the current year, and I don't count each individual piece of paper, because I could do thousands in no time. I do try to toss junk mail as it comes in, though.

[chapeau]

I’m in for this year. I’ll commit to definitely getting rid of 1,000, but I’m setting a stretch goal of 2018. I did finally print the tracking sheets.
I’ll be good and not count the pile of stuff sitting on the shredder that I’m planning to take to work next Monday. The shredder is unplugged, and I have to move a bookshelf to plug it in, so that will have to wait. In the meantime, it’s going to work.
Tree is coming down on Saturday, I always leave it up through 12th night. Was hoping to do it Sunday, but DH’s work schedule was changed to work on Sunday, and it’s easier to get it out of here with 2 people.
Also cleaning out the fridge this weekend, and I have a basket full of clothing to try on and see if they’re staying or going.

[Lizard Queen]

What are these printable tracking sheets that people speak of? Where might I find them?

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 2, 2018 21:26:23 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

What are these printable tracking sheets that people speak of? Where might I find them?

Tagging WholeLottaNothin  She posted the link to the 2018 in 2018 chart and I can't find the post

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 2, 2018 21:26:23 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

What are these printable tracking sheets that people speak of? Where might I find them?

Oh, there's tons. 

Are you on Pinterest?

[busymom]

Jan 2, 2018 21:26:23 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

What are these printable tracking sheets that people speak of? Where might I find them?

   I believe the one that was posted on the 2017 thread was from NourishingMinimalism.com

[Lizard Queen]

Jan 2, 2018 23:13:47 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Jan 2, 2018 21:26:23 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

What are these printable tracking sheets that people speak of? Where might I find them?

Oh, there's tons. 

Are you on Pinterest?

I have an account, but never go on so I don't remember the login.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Peter Walsh #31Days2Organized

Day 3

Magazines!

Go get them. All of them. Put them in one place. 

You may only keep two back issues of each magazine. Toss the rest.

You're not going to read  the rest of them. Really, you're never going to. 

If there are some of the current or back two issues that you know you're not going to read, then toss them also. 

[Sam_2.0]

Jan 3, 2018 9:53:18 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Peter Walsh #31Days2Organized

Day 3

Magazines!

Go get them. All of them. Put them in one place. 

You may only keep two back issues of each magazine. Toss the rest.

You're not going to read  the rest of them. Really, you're never going to. 

If there are some of the current or back two issues that you know you're not going to read, then toss them also. 

Oh how I wish DH would do this. He subscribes to several and wants to keep them ALL. Ughghghghgh. I have started boxing them and putting them on his side of the bed. May not be the most effective, but they are out of my way and now a hindrance to him

[debthaven]

This week
- class P/Wed
- pick up deliveries as they arrive: baby mattress, DS2's gift/Wed
- see A/Thurs
- office supply store/Thurs
- bottle bank/Thurs
- haircut/Thurs

The baby mattress never arrived. After sending several emails, filling in the same form twice and making several expensive phone calls, yesterday I posted the same nasty post on their FB page and on a prominent consumer website ... about 10 times. That seems to have done the trick.    I received an email today saying they are reimbursing me for the mattress. I really hope they do, because I bought another one today on my way home from school (in a store this time).

[hopetoberich]

I have thrown away about 30 things since the new year. Most of them small it would be better if they were large then i might notice it.
Dh half filled the shredder which is good, but again the pile is not smaller by much.
Long way to go here.

[TheOtherMe]

Sorry about the mattress.  It's sad that we have to post in public to get what is right.  I have done it and it works when nothing else does.

Lizard Queen  If you PM me your email, I can send it to you

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

[Waffle]

Hello all, I'm back (again). My last decluttering was horribly derailed by my mother's sudden illness. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in early November with an average prognosis of 1 year.  She developed multiple other issues - lung blood clot, internal bleeding, heart attack and more and came home to hospice care with a 3 to 6 month prognosis.  She was dead 2 days later (slightly less than 1 month after the original diagnosis). One aunt (only 5 years older than me) was with me the next day and stayed almost a week - through the funeral. While she was here in addition to helping with the funeral arrangements, she did a lot of cleaning. Practically it was a help because more family was coming - some stayed overnight - some just visited the day of the funeral. But anyhow she gave what was mom's bathroom (and is now the first floor guest bath) a thorough cleaning.  She vacuumed and mopped the downstairs floors.  She cleaned my refrigerator and organized my pantry.   (She's a very early riser, some stuff was done before I even got out of bed in the mornings.)  Together we cleaned out the freezers and a couple of kitchen cabinets.  I cleaned out the hall closet.

After everyone left,  I started working on mom's closet and took a big load of mostly clothes to Goodwill. 

I just got one of those tracking sheets from the NourishingMinimalism website.  Thanks to busymom for posting the website.  I'm going to try to get 2018 things gone in 2018.

[debthaven]

Oh Waffle I'm so sorry about your mother.

Knee Deep in Water Chloe that book is beautiful, but do you have to recopy the items you don't finish from the left hand page every week? That would drive me a bit mad ...

[Iggy aka IG]

Waffle, I am so sorry. 

[Lizard Queen]

So sorry about your mother, Waffle.  It was so nice of your aunt to help you.

[Waffle]

Thanks, debthaven.  I wasn't ready - maybe you're never ready for your mother to die, but she was ready.  She was at peace.  And she was suffering, so I'm glad at least that the suffering wasn't prolonged.

[bean29]

Jan 2, 2018 14:56:32 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Jan 2, 2018 14:23:59 GMT -5 bean29 said:

Hi Guys.

I think Cleaning the Refrigerator sounds like a good goal for this week. I will talk to DH and DS about Trash bag tango. The room we should do that in is the Garage, but it is too cold to deal with RN.

I pushed everyone in my family to do all returns/exchanges at Boston Store/Penney's/Sears etc. (stores that may file bankruptcy). DH was running to Kohl's on NY Eve and I sent him with all my returns and orders to try to spend any Kohl's Cash they might give him. DD went with him, and he came home and said he may have $1-2 but he spent pretty much all the credit they gave him.  I exchanged a pair of shoes for DD this am.

I have a small tree to take down in the basement, and wash and put away Christmas towels and rugs from the bathroom.  I also want to pull the net lights off the bushes in front of the house this week. 

 

Is Kohl's struggling too? Cause that place is always packed in my town.

No, I just wanted the return clutter out of my bedroom, and I am worried about getting the returns done/spending the resulting Kohls cash.  I personally am not a fan of the concept of Kohl's cash.  You don't get any discounts on items purchased with Kohl's cash and I am not 100% clear on when you lose it, but I always feel I am on the losing end of the game.  So I have pushed my family to get all their Kohl's returns done and spend any resulting Kohl's cash/credits right away.  In my town though, Kohl's moved out  is moving out of the Mall at Southridge and built a store in a new strip mall (smaller sq footage, not quite done yet?).  So Kohl's is also going smaller footprint/smaller scale and I think opening off price retail concept store. 

archive.jsonline.com/business/kohls-targets-bargain-hunters-at-new-offaisle-stores-b99691842z1-373003031.html

www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/2017/03/03/kohls-leave-southridge-mall/98688604/  (The Sears store cited in this article is closed already).