2020 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[startsmart]

Finished the bathroom floor! Pictures are here: imgur.com/gallery/T3iadJk

It took 2 weeks but there were a couple days in there I didn’t work on it at all. I’ll glue in the transition piece this weekend and then the whole bath gets a deep clean soon.

The yard work also started today and so far my dogs have tracked in half the mud from the back. Tomorrow I have some work to do in the driveway, cleaning up flower pots, cutting down scrap wood and painting the garage door.

In addition to tossing some old things, I also have the gardener my old grill! One less thing to take to the and it still works but I never use it. I’ll give the propane tank back to my dad when they visit.

[debthaven]

For me though, This is one area I’m terrible at decluttering. It is organized—grouped and labeled—but it isn’t all necessary to keep.
Same here Knee Deep in Water Chloe ...

startsmart the floor looks fabulous! You are such a hard worker. I hope the house sells quickly and well this time.

This weekend (updated)
- put away Christmas/Sun
- bank

Tree on the woodpile, ornaments and decorations in the basement. We left a string of fairy lights across the beams because we like the way they look. They're not Christmas lights.  

I'm still expecting a check so I'll go to the bank next week.

This week

- pick up pants/Mon

- return stroller to A

- bank

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 5, 2020 0:07:12 GMT -5 CCL said:

Today I paid bills, balanced the checkbook (by the way, I'm the only person I know who does this) and did a bunch of laundry. Kind of a slow day around here. I didn't even go outside.

My checkbook is balanced to the penny every month.  I am an anal accountant.

[mollyanna58]

Another bagful of clothes from the attic to be donated. I bought some nice new fluffy towels, so the old ones are going to the dog shelter.  Also, 17 wire hangers gone

[startsmart]

Thanks debthaven the other major task I have to complete is a new coat of paint on ALL the trim. Baseboards, doors, window frames. I agree it’ll make everything look fresh but I’m also dreading it so that will be the rest of this month I think.

[WholeLottaNothin]

I am seriously pissed off at my husband. Time to go rage clean.

[TheOtherMe]

I'm acquiring the "stuff" I wanted from my mom and dad's place today.

It should be two pieces of furniture, one photo album and some other framed photos.  I'm hoping they aren't going to bring stuff I didn't ask for because I will toss it.

I also asked for my plastic totes back if they are empty.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 5, 2020 0:07:12 GMT -5 CCL said:

Today I paid bills, balanced the checkbook (by the way, I'm the only person I know who does this) and did a bunch of laundry. Kind of a slow day around here. I didn't even go outside.

I balance my accounts every week. Do you mean that you do it by hand with a paper ledger?

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 5, 2020 12:36:57 GMT -5 WholeLottaNothin said:

I am seriously pissed off at my husband. Time to go rage clean.

Well, that’s a good use of the energy. 😉

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 5, 2020 2:28:25 GMT -5 startsmart said:

Finished the bathroom floor! Pictures are here: imgur.com/gallery/T3iadJk

It took 2 weeks but there were a couple days in there I didn’t work on it at all. I’ll glue in the transition piece this weekend and then the whole bath gets a deep clean soon.

The yard work also started today and so far my dogs have tracked in half the mud from the back. Tomorrow I have some work to do in the driveway, cleaning up flower pots, cutting down scrap wood and painting the garage door.

In addition to tossing some old things, I also have the gardener my old grill! One less thing to take to the and it still works but I never use it. I’ll give the propane tank back to my dad when they visit.

LOVE THE TILE!!!

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 5, 2020 13:33:38 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Jan 5, 2020 0:07:12 GMT -5 CCL said:

Today I paid bills, balanced the checkbook (by the way, I'm the only person I know who does this) and did a bunch of laundry. Kind of a slow day around here. I didn't even go outside.

I balance my accounts every week. Do you mean that you do it by hand with a paper ledger?

I balance mine against my spreadsheet.  My spreadsheet is my checkbook.  I haven't kept a checkbook on paper in at least 10 years.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

January Organization Goals

• Create Deep Cleaning goals for two zones & complete those lists
• Create Application Plan for DeD program
• Re-instate Evening routing (this routine fell by the wayside with my surgeries last spring and then being completely overwhelmed by my new job duties this fall.)
• Create new weekly routine for work (I finally have an actual office and an additional employee to help with some of the work I was given for the two full time jobs I have. I can establish far better routines now that I have some sense of actually being able to get anything done instead of just catching the fastballs being chucked at me. 
• Plan weekend trips for January, February, and March. (This was a goal we had for 2017 & 2018. Due to my health, we weren't able to maintain this lifestyle choice in 2019. Time to get it back on the radar.)

[Sharon]

It has been a fairly productive morning, seeing Mom's crap pile is very motivating.

Bathrooms Cleaned

Litter box Cleaned

Load of Laundry going

Dishwasher running

Cut out coupons from Sunday's paper and filed them in my coupon holder (rather than leaving them on the end of the counter until they expire)

Waste baskets emptied / Trash out

Recorded and loaded up all the things I knew were ready to donate - They are in the car (will update my totals once they are gone)

Found room in my fabric stash to incorporate the leftovers from quilt done last February (that sack is off the floor)

    My fabric stash is way too big I need to use more of it, my problem is finding time to sew. 

Sister's Birthday present wrapped and ready to go

I may sit and knit for a while before it is time to go over to Mom's.  I need to finish DGS's afghan and I can't work on it around Mom.  She has knit each of her Great-Grands really nice baby blankets.  They are a nice size and larger than a receiving blanket.  Therefore in her mind I can't also knit them a blanket because she did and it therefore somehow diminishes her gift or something.  I don't know, all I know is she gets made when she finds out I am doing something along these lines.

ETA:  I keep a paper check register and then again in YNAB.  Both are balanced out every month.

[mollyc]

So far, the only things that are being accomplished in the bedroom and attached half bath is laundry.  When the current load is done, I'll chase the dogs off the bed and change the sheets so the current ones can be done and I'm starting the week fresh(ish).  There is a limit to how fresh/clean things can stay when you have 5 dogs and the weather is alternating between rain and snow.  The only good thing about this weather is that their undercoat mostly comes out in clumps so some of it is easier to pick up.

Conversation I had with DH last night when I got back from walking the dogs:

DH (in slightly hurt tone because I haven't said anything):  Did you notice?  I cleaned the bathroom.

Me (based on past experience):  Did you clean the bathroom or just the part that was bugging you?

DH (slightly angry):  Yes I cleaned the bathroom.  It was filthy.

Me (going to the bathroom and see that the only change is the floor was swept and mopped.  Rug wasn't even shaken off):  The cobwebs are still on the light fixture and the medicine cabinet.  You just cleaned what bugged you.  (Notice everything else that is still dusty with dog hair and that floor under cabinet door is still filthy).

DH:  I didn't see you doing anything.

Things like this are why my mother used to say I'd have been no worse off as a single mother.  Too bad he's too broken to be returned.  I should have done something before the warranty expired.

Curse my procrastination.  I'll have to practice being grateful for what I get.

[Saving4Norway]

I went to take a closer look at all my craft projects and supplies but quickly got overwhelmed with feelings of utter failure. I don't have money regrets about the money I spent, which kind of surprises me. It's different. It's negative feelings about having all these project ideas/stuff and that I failed to follow through and do a single one of them.

Does anyone have a suggestion to give me a different mindset?

[tcu2003]

Emily Ley 2020 Simplicity Challenge


www.facebook.com/emilyleypaper/


Our Annual Simplicity Challenge is HERE!#ASimplifiedLife #SimplicityChallenge2020. 1 step every day for 30 days. Each one takes 15 minutes or less.


Day 1 - Walk your home with a trash bag or five. Be ruthless. Papers. Receipts. Tags. Empty bottles. Go.

Day 2 - Clean out your fridge. Check expiration dates and throw things away.

Day 3 - Clear the clutter from your nightstand.

Day 4 - Simplify your phone. Delete old contacts and unused apps. Refresh your lock screen.

Day 5 - Make a list of anything that needs restocked in your bathroom. Restock what you can from items you already have in your house (if possible), or add to your next grocery list.

[tcu2003]

I’m traveling today through Tuesday for work, so I won’t get anything done around my house. We did have someone pick up the sofa and love seat today before I left for the airport, and new ones are being delivered tomorrow.

[startsmart]

Norway- I have similar thoughts about craft stuff as I packed and here’s a little of what helped me:

1) I can donate this and someone will love to have it and get joy from finding a good deal
2) this thing brought me some happiness because dreaming and planning is fun. Even if I didn’t follow though it did part of its job.
3) if I’m motivated now I can make time and space to do the thing, if my priorities have changed its time to let it go.
4) it’s just a craft, if I didn’t finish it’s not the end of the world.


That said, I am pushing myself to do all of the diagonal sewing bits on my queen quilt today. I used some spray adhesive to keep it together that seems to be working and have 2 rows done (like 18 more to go!). My goal to finish it is January 23rd or sooner.

[TheOtherMe]

Sister and BIL, niece and her hubby just left.  

They brought more than I remembered asking for, but it's okay.  I will not complain as mom's chair is sitting beside me.  Will have to try it out and see if it becomes my chair or if the new recliner will stay my chair.

I asked sister if she was okay with what they brought and she said she is not okay with it but she finally has realized she can't keep all of it and live in her house.  I'm kind of feeling like that at the moment.

My living room was not full before but it is now.

Aside from the secretary (she admonished me not to let the cat scratch any of mom's furniture), I'm most happy to have the coat rack my maternal grandfather made by hand in the 40's.  

Niece asked if I wanted my old footstool gone and I said yes.  She said she would ask her mom if it could go to the burn pile.  Luckily she said yes, so it isn't in my garage.  

I don't think all of my totes were returned, but it's okay.  The ones she brought are full of stuff.  It's not probably stuff I want.

After the cleaners leave on Friday, I have work to do.  

Now I have to reconsider the painting.  It still needs to be done, but I think it has to wait.  I can't handle more change right now in my house.

[plugginaway22]

I'm pissed she said anything about your cat and scratching what is now YOUR furniture.

[Sharon]

I got a few more things done today and actually feel ready for the upcoming week.

While I watched a movie

Mended the hems that were coming undone on both a pair of black pants and navy blue pants

Got a couple more rows done on DGS's blanket

I also

Emptied the dishwasher, instead of waiting until something else needed to be put into it

Folded and put away the towel load of wash I did earlier today

Ironed a couple of tea towels that were in the towel load

lunch is made for tomorrow.

[mollyc]

DSis#1 was in town for the day so I decluttered the suitcase I borrowed from my bedroom to her in-town place.

I started the sheets and towels when I got back.  I'm going to put my work clothes away so the dryer is free when I need it.  I'll check how smoky it is outside when the sheets are washed.  The sun will be down so they won't dry tonight but it should be nice enough tomorrow for them to dry (sunny, slightly windy and low humidity).  This, of course, assumes that DH and the neighbours aren't using their wood stoves.

[Malarky]

Jan 5, 2020 14:41:58 GMT -5 Saving4Norway said:

I went to take a closer look at all my craft projects and supplies but quickly got overwhelmed with feelings of utter failure. I don't have money regrets about the money I spent, which kind of surprises me. It's different. It's negative feelings about having all these project ideas/stuff and that I failed to follow through and do a single one of them.

Does anyone have a suggestion to give me a different mindset?

Last summer I ruthlessly and with a great deal of relief donated everything in the four full totes I had stashed in the basement to a summer camp program.  As well as my own projects I used to teach an after school crafts class.  When my kids were in elementary school. My youngest is 22.  

Realistically, I was never going to use that stuff again.  Better to have someone use some or all of it than it sit idle for any more years.  I'm now the proud owner of 4 empty totes and I couldn't be happier.

I do have some yarn and fabric still neatly corralled in a drawer in the spare room but it is absolutely not allowed to exceed the limits of the drawer.  

I don't feel bad about the time or money involved.  Whatever the medium, it served it's purpose at the time and now it no longer does.  What I need now is space and peace of mind.  Beading projects don't do that for me.  

[CCL]

Jan 5, 2020 13:33:38 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Jan 5, 2020 0:07:12 GMT -5 CCL said:

Today I paid bills, balanced the checkbook (by the way, I'm the only person I know who does this) and did a bunch of laundry. Kind of a slow day around here. I didn't even go outside.

I balance my accounts every week. Do you mean that you do it by hand with a paper ledger?

Yes. I've always done it that way. My kids laugh at me lol.

[CCL]

Jan 5, 2020 7:37:52 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Jan 5, 2020 0:07:12 GMT -5 CCL said:

Today I paid bills, balanced the checkbook (by the way, I'm the only person I know who does this) and did a bunch of laundry. Kind of a slow day around here. I didn't even go outside.

My checkbook is balanced to the penny every month.  I am an anal accountant.

I balance mine every week. Then I pay every bill I have at that time.

[nidena]

Jan 5, 2020 14:41:58 GMT -5 Saving4Norway said:

I went to take a closer look at all my craft projects and supplies but quickly got overwhelmed with feelings of utter failure. I don't have money regrets about the money I spent, which kind of surprises me. It's different. It's negative feelings about having all these project ideas/stuff and that I failed to follow through and do a single one of them.

Does anyone have a suggestion to give me a different mindset?

You've only failed to follow through if you die before they're done.  In the meantime, pick one to do first and finish it.  Then pick the next one.

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 5, 2020 17:47:42 GMT -5 plugginaway22 said:

I'm pissed she said anything about your cat and scratching what is now YOUR furniture.

Yes, it is my furniture and the cat can do whatever she pleases.

[nikiz628]

Jan 5, 2020 19:44:14 GMT -5 CCL said:

Jan 5, 2020 13:33:38 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

I balance my accounts every week. Do you mean that you do it by hand with a paper ledger?

Yes. I've always done it that way. My kids laugh at me lol.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I still use a paper register for my checkbook too! Probably for the same reason I prefer a paper planner over my smartphone calendar.

[nikiz628]

Jan 5, 2020 15:40:43 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Emily Ley 2020 Simplicity Challenge


www.facebook.com/emilyleypaper/


Our Annual Simplicity Challenge is HERE!#ASimplifiedLife #SimplicityChallenge2020. 1 step every day for 30 days. Each one takes 15 minutes or less.


Day 1 - Walk your home with a trash bag or five. Be ruthless. Papers. Receipts. Tags. Empty bottles. Go.

Day 2 - Clean out your fridge. Check expiration dates and throw things away.

Day 3 - Clear the clutter from your nightstand.

Day 4 - Simplify your phone. Delete old contacts and unused apps. Refresh your lock screen.

Day 5 - Make a list of anything that needs restocked in your bathroom. Restock what you can from items you already have in your house (if possible), or add to your next grocery list.

Shopping your house first is a great trick we should all try when possible this year. I often “shop” other rooms in my house when I’m redecorating a room. I need to try incorporating that concept when it comes to other things too.