2018 Get Organized & Declutter Your Stuff

[tcu2003]

If I missed someone else posting, my apologies for a duplicate.

Day 8 of #31Days2GetOrganized – SPICES – If your herb and spice cabinet hasn’t been declutter in years, then this is the challenge for you. Add some SPICE to your organizing life by showing these babies who’s boss!

[nidena]

Jan 8, 2018 21:46:30 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

If I missed someone else posting, my apologies for a duplicate.

Day 8 of #31Days2GetOrganized – SPICES – If your herb and spice cabinet hasn’t been declutter in years, then this is the challenge for you. Add some SPICE to your organizing life by showing these babies who’s boss!

I was just pondering this the other day.  I don't use spices so it's almost silly for me to have anything other than salt, pepper, cinnamon, and a few extracts like vanilla or peppermint.  I mean, I bought whole bayleaf years ago and can't remember when I last opened the bottle.  lol.

[startsmart]

I ended up going out a few times today but for a good cause. Once to the gym and then driving in the rain because it's so peaceful out there and then to see a movie. Tomorrow when it stops raining I really need to go rake the leaves away from the storm drain, there's a little lake forming in front of my driveway but no way I'm going out in the dark to do it. 

[chiver78]

Jan 8, 2018 22:10:53 GMT -5 nidena said:

Jan 8, 2018 21:46:30 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

If I missed someone else posting, my apologies for a duplicate.

Day 8 of #31Days2GetOrganized – SPICES – If your herb and spice cabinet hasn’t been declutter in years, then this is the challenge for you. Add some SPICE to your organizing life by showing these babies who’s boss!

I was just pondering this the other day.  I don't use spices so it's almost silly for me to have anything other than salt, pepper, cinnamon, and a few extracts like vanilla or peppermint.  I mean, I bought whole bayleaf years ago and can't remember when I last opened the bottle.  lol.

I'm having a very hard time wrapping my brain around this. how do you cook without spices?

[Lizard Queen]

Still decluttering a little every day, but no one else is now that I'm not on them to. DH was going to do a bunch last weekend, but then he was tired or didn't feel well or something. He will get to it--he tends to go in cleaning bursts. He does a really good job when he does. Christmas tree is still up, but ornaments are coming off gradually. DH and kids put it up, so they are taking it down. I find it incredibly difficult to organize anything in my current state of mind, dealing with my mom and all. Decluttering, I can do, though. Oh, I did finally place a smaller Amazon order for some bins for my closet shelves. I'll order more of they end up working well. Hopefully, those arrive today.

[nidena]

Jan 9, 2018 1:30:57 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Jan 8, 2018 22:10:53 GMT -5 nidena said:

I was just pondering this the other day.  I don't use spices so it's almost silly for me to have anything other than salt, pepper, cinnamon, and a few extracts like vanilla or peppermint.  I mean, I bought whole bayleaf years ago and can't remember when I last opened the bottle.  lol.

I'm having a very hard time wrapping my brain around this. how do you cook without spices?

You're assuming that I cook.  I tend to eat the same things, day in and day out, and none of those things require any spices, not even salt.

[nidena]

A great article that I came across the other day: Go Deeper, Not Wider .  This is what I'm trying to do.

[MJ2.0]

I so need to be part of this thread.  I'm planning to move in late summer and need to organize and pare down a fair amount.

Ooh, good call on the spices!  But first, I need to get DS's crafting tub and the coat closet sorted out. 

[Blonde Granny]

I wish I could get all excited about cooking, but I just can't. PB & J with jelly or a frozen Stouffers dinner and even a bowl of soup is about all I can muster for a meal.

[busymom]

Good Morning Kids!  Yesterday, the contractor completed all of the work on my windows, AND the access door to the pipes in the bathroom.  This week, he begins the remodel on the bathroom.  Not all of the materials (like the flooring) will be in for a couple of weeks, but with a bit of luck, I'll be getting my new shower and tub installed this week.     We're also replacing all of the mop boards in the bathroom (amazing what steam will do to woodwork over time).  The hardest part is picking out the new countertop.

[snapdragon]

Well no go on borrowing a longer drill bit -- off to the hardware store after work. 

One great thing is that I was able to give a friend a pair of nice pants that didn't work for me but fit my friend perfectly. 

[nidena]

My list for today:

Go through every cabinet, closet, and shelf unit (aka bookcase) that I haven't yet touched and purge, purge, purge.
Sweep/vacuum first floor
Complete Grad School resume
Input receipts into Excel
Attack the magazines
Take stuff to the HfH Restore
Edit posts on Dover Textbook fb page
Ship package to cousin
Pay for expedited shipping on previous purchase
Merge United customer numbers
Start Aramark project
Clean up desk...again
*adding Oil Change

[Lizard Queen]

Jan 9, 2018 10:09:35 GMT -5 nidena said:

A great article that I came across the other day: Go Deeper, Not Wider .  This is what I'm trying to do.

This is kind of where I am, too, but I've already failed it as I ordered a new book yesterday. It is about a topic I've explored before, so I'll take that loophole!

[busymom]

Help meeeeeeeee!  Remember how I've been waiting (and waiting, and waiting...) to get the siding replaced on our house after hail damage last Summer?  The company knocked on my door this morning (that we'd contracted with to do the work), and now they're telling me they might get going on it later this week.  So now, I'm going to have a contractor pounding inside my house, at the same time a bunch of guys are working on the OUTSIDE.  Throw in no usable shower for over 24 hours, and a snowstorm that's supposed to arrive Thursday, and I just might seriously consider spending a night at a hotel.       Oh, and I asked the siding company if they'll work if it's snowing, & they said YES.  

[Iggy aka IG]

busymom, here ya' go! 

[debthaven]

It'll be great when it's all done busymom!

[Lizard Queen]

It might be better to get it done, and contractors out of your hair, all at once.

[busymom]

It's true that it'll be nice to just get through it and be done.  But, we're looking at getting around 6 inches of snow Thursday, & I think the siding company is CRAZY to make their crew work in that weather.  (We're supposed to get another big cool down on the weekend, & I'm guessing they're trying to beat the next big plunge into below zero temps.)  Plus, I might need to keep DS home due to the snow, so it's a good thing I've got a pair of noise-reducing headphones for him, as he doesn't like a lot of noise.

[nidena]

The sweeping of the dining room turned into mopping of part of it.  My downstairs toilet overflowed!!  It's no longer clogged but now, I have to wait for the bowl to drain so that I can reflush it and clear it completely.

[dee27]

DH put away the Christmas boxes that were sitting in the garage thanks to a warmer day.

[busymom]

Ok, so I just got the telephone call that the siding company will start "sometime" tomorrow, which means they're probably finishing up at another house before they begin here.  I might have one of these before bed tonight:       My contractor will be getting here nice & early to tear out the bathtub & shower.

[WholeLottaNothin]

Almost got to 200 items today. That was all from our bedroom. And I'm still not done in that room. Kinda sad if I think about it too much.

[nidena]

Jan 9, 2018 11:01:12 GMT -5 nidena said:

My list for today:

Go through every cabinet, closet, and shelf unit (aka bookcase) that I haven't yet touched and purge, purge, purge.
Sweep/vacuum first floor
Complete Grad School resume
Input receipts into Excel
Attack the magazines
Take stuff to the HfH Restore
Edit posts on Dover Textbook fb page
Ship package to cousin
Pay for expedited shipping on previous purchase
Merge United customer numbers
Start Aramark project
Clean up desk...again
*adding Oil Change

Not bad.  The United thing would have been done but I need to call them again.  I like this list thing.  We'll see if I can keep it up once my classes start on Tuesday.  Six of 'em--three each day.

[tcu2003]

Day 9 of #31Days2GetOrganized – FLAT SURFACES – Clear and uncluttered flat surfaces are a key step to getting and staying organized. Choose any ONE flat surface in your home (small or large) and go for it.

[Sharon]

Today I got 2 items up on the local FB garage sale page.  Fingers crossed they will sell.

Last night by the time I got home I was so tired I didn't do my usual kitchen clean up but made sure I did tonight.  Every night I have a sink full of hand wash items and I am pretty good about getting that done each night.  It is all the misc little plastic containers I use for lunch and usually a couple of pots and pans.  Kitchen is clean and the dishwasher is running.

[Sharon]

Jan 9, 2018 16:45:53 GMT -5 busymom said:

Ok, so I just got the telephone call that the siding company will start "sometime" tomorrow, which means they're probably finishing up at another house before they begin here.  I might have one of these before bed tonight:       My contractor will be getting here nice & early to tear out the bathtub & shower.

You may need to do some baking tomorrow because I suspect your house will be colder since it will be missing the siding for a while.  Good luck with all the contractors.

[hopetoberich]

I work pt at a hotel.
Loads of people stay for a few days while their house get remodeled or repaired.
Water leak...check in
No heat...check in
Dust from work...check in
Evicted...check in
Domestic violence...check in.
On and on.

[CCL]

Jan 9, 2018 10:25:59 GMT -5 busymom said:

Good Morning Kids!  Yesterday, the contractor completed all of the work on my windows, AND the access door to the pipes in the bathroom.  This week, he begins the remodel on the bathroom.  Not all of the materials (like the flooring) will be in for a couple of weeks, but with a bit of luck, I'll be getting my new shower and tub installed this week.     We're also replacing all of the mop boards in the bathroom (amazing what steam will do to woodwork over time).  The hardest part is picking out the new countertop.

What is a mop board? Or did you mean baseboard?

[CCL]

Jan 9, 2018 15:36:47 GMT -5 nidena said:

The sweeping of the dining room turned into mopping of part of it.  My downstairs toilet overflowed!!  It's no longer clogged but now, I have to wait for the bowl to drain so that I can reflush it and clear it completely.

Oh no! Sorry. That kind of stuff is such a mess to clean up.

[debthaven]

The old basement shelves (30+ years old) are leaning a lot, it's dangerous. So we're going to replace them with new Ikea shelves this week. BIG project. Hopefully DH can manage to get rid of some Stuff in the process, although those old shelves contain Stuff that belongs to me and the kids, and the basement pantry, and we go through them regularly.

It will cost about $200 to replace that wall of shelves.

This said, the basement will probably remain in bad shape until DS2 gets his apartment and either moves his furniture out or decides to sell it. DS2's furniture is blocking DS1's Stuff, which DS1 wants to go through when he comes back in Feb. So it will have to be moved out of the way before then. 

Also, DH ended up just dumping most of his office Stuff at a friend's place, because he ran out of time while emptying his office. He still has to go through it, and I know at least some of it will end up here. I am resigned to using DS1's basement bedroom as storage, but hopefully at some point the basement will look decent again. DS1 can't use the basement bedroom with a baby anyway.

We don't have an attic or a garage, so the basement is our only storage space. I've always managed to contain the Stuff to one of the two basement rooms, but with the kids storing their Stuff here too, it's just not possible anymore.