2021 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[stillmovingforward]

We had those at the last 3 companies I worked at. We called them 'standing tables' and used them for stand-up meetings or quick meetings where we needed to look at something but didn't need a formal room or to sit down. Sort of a 'drive-by'. Loved the concept!

[TheOtherMe]

I don't like the high top tables.  I have refused to sit at them back in the days when I did go out to eat.

[nidena]

Had planned on starting off my day with my 9am personal trainer appt but a migraine had other plans so I'll be doing most everything else BEFORE going at 3:30.

Cat blanket and my winter comforter to the dry cleaners
Costco
The Vitamin Shoppe
Half Price Books
Target

I realized that I'm better off hanging my work blouses than having them in a drawer so I'm going to move all my dresses (since they're not really work wear) into the spare room closet and then hang all my work clothes in my bedroom closet.  I think this will cut down on figuring out what I've worn and what I haven't because I can just cycle them from left to right (or vice versa) as I wear each pant or blouse.  To do this, I need more hangers.  

Eventually, in the next five years or so, I'll have a snazzy walk-in closet and won't need the dresser I have.  Everything will be in the closet.

[bean29]

Jan 13, 2021 9:35:38 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I don't like the high top tables.  I have refused to sit at them back in the days when I did go out to eat.

I really don't like high tops either, except at the Charcoal Grill near our house.  It is like a sports bar, and on one side they have a projection TV with a huge screen, but there is too much light, so the TV Screen washes out.  on the Bar side they have a bunch of TV's and long high top tables.  DH and I will go for lunch on the weekend, and sit at the high tops in the bar and have a hamburger.  I feel it is worth the trade off.  I am short, so I don't like climbing up into the chairs or stools for a high top table. 

We had new concrete walks poured in fall, and DH took out what used to be flower beds along the walks and the walks now slope down and away from the house.  right as you come around the corner of the garage to the front door we have ice forming.  DH said there is ice damming going on at the roofline.  I can hear a drip drip drip in my bedroom and I am worried we might have issues although I think it will not be an entire roof job, just a repair.  I absolutely have to purge my closet and get my room organized this week (only access to attic is through the MB closet).  I had already been working on it, but I pulled a about 20 items out of the closet to try on and decide if they go or stay.  I also have another pile on the sofa in my room - so I will have to review and make decisions.  I have some room in the basement that I could put some stuff, but I am trying to avoid that.  I think just getting rid of more items is the way to go.  I have a few jackets that I have to think on.  One is a grey/black plaid that is really warm.  I liked it, wore it a lot, but IDK if more formal dress will ever come back.  I am wearing more casual stuff to work now than ever before.  I also am thinking about cleaning out my office big time and giving the room over to my DS.  I could use his room or DD's room upstairs as my office, but I will need to scan some stuff I have in file boxes to reduce the space I need for an office. 

I also have a lot of pictures I really should scan so that I can get rid of the old albums and negatives that I have.  I really need someone to help me make decisions.  I can be so indecisive- on the flip side other family members are sometimes too quick to get rid of stuff they might need later.  I need my DD to channel my DS - he is a minimalist and as DH said she has 3 areas of the house filled with her stuff, she really should give some space over to DS.
 

[chiver78]

I prefer them, because I would typically just stand anyway. they are the right height for that. back when I was going to the office, I would actually take my laptop to the cafe on my floor to stand at one of the high tops there. I'm actually standing at the high side of my kitchen counter right now with my laptop. I hate sitting still for hours. 

[stillmovingforward]

I bought a Jarvis sit/stand desk at the beginning of the pandemic. Best purchase ever!

[moneysquirrel]

Just a quick pop in visit to say hello.  Still getting a few things done each day.  My large beading project is almost finished.  Just a few more hours and it will be done.  I was able to get my car back from the shop yesterday so I ran a few necessary errands this morning.  Have a few more to run later this week.  On the whole I am staying in and keeping busy.  Classes begin next week so I will have more of a routine then. 

[nidena]

Jan 13, 2021 9:43:32 GMT -5 nidena said:

Had planned on starting off my day with my 9am personal trainer appt but a migraine had other plans so I'll be doing most everything else BEFORE going at 3:30.

Cat blanket and my winter comforter to the dry cleaners
Costco
The Vitamin Shoppe
Half Price Books
Target

I realized that I'm better off hanging my work blouses than having them in a drawer so I'm going to move all my dresses (since they're not really work wear) into the spare room closet and then hang all my work clothes in my bedroom closet.  I think this will cut down on figuring out what I've worn and what I haven't because I can just cycle them from left to right (or vice versa) as I wear each pant or blouse.  To do this, I need more hangers.  

Eventually, in the next five years or so, I'll have a snazzy walk-in closet and won't need the dresser I have.  Everything will be in the closet.

Got everything done except the Costco trip.  The BF and I are headed to Warm Glow Candle Shoppe in a few minutes and that's gonna be much more fun than Costco; different stuff but smells much better.  

[Sharon]

Funny story about my first item decluttered in 2021.

Tonight when I was in the garage I could hear a very faint, tinny sounding, music.  It was a classical music tune.  I couldn't place the source, so decided maybe someone was outside walking by the house and dismissed it.  Went back out to the garage a little while later and could still hear it.  Finally after some investigating I found this old angel that had been given to me years ago in the bottom of a box of Christmas decorations.  I had never displayed it because I didn't like it.  I didn't see a clear on/off switch and not really sure what triggered it to start playing music.  Now my garbage can is playing music.

[debthaven]

LOL Sharon !

DS2 and P came for dinner last night and stayed overnight. P wasn't with us at Christmas this year, so her presents have finally left the LR. 

We are very happy with the new DR chairs. They are SO much more comfortable! They're quite modern/trendy but that's what we wanted:

fr.casashops.com/fr/produits/mats-chaise-salle-%C3%A0-manger-blanc-h-83-x-larg--47-x-p-52-cm/580195/

The new table should arrive in a month:

www.nunido.fr/index.php?cl=details&anid=98ec10f85cc5253f0c404733879d2106&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0fr_BRDaARIsAABw4Eu_-FWt_VVJazDsU1Y6bdvrrzSpLWvvb32kUcUTOLiJvveEi1Auh34aAoDWEALw_wcB

[TheOtherMe]

Probably won't declutter today as I've managed to book two Zoom webinars and a basketball game.  First Zoom is on Iowa history, then the basketball game at 1 PM.  Early evening is a genealogy webinar.  

I was not taught Iowa history in school so I find these  webinars very interesting.

[wvugurl26]

I'm trying to get rid of a bunch of kitchen stuff. I've wanted to give it to the store that assists people getting housing. Their donation hours were limited when I was in the office full time. Due to covid, they changed what they would accept. And they have not been taking any donations at all for the past six weeks.

I saw a post on the local Facebook page asking for stuff for someone who was previously homeless. I offered it up so we'll see if they accept.

I joined the local free stuff page but no one was looking for kitchen stuff.

[chiver78]

wvugurl26 - try posting that you're offering the kitchen stuff. I didn't see anyone looking for any of the stuff I had, but I had takers almost immediately after posting what I had.

[Iggy aka IG]

TheOtherMe , the history Zoom class sounds intriguing!

wvugurl26 , good for you for the donation. 

Happy Friday Eve, everyone!  Trying to remain hyper-focused here at the office.  Yesterday I got 4 files off my desk, last year's to dos have been completed, almost finished with the 2021 calendar mailing, and after me reminding her again this morning, the friend finally came to pick up the things they left behind at the Halloween party.

ETA:  debthaven, glad you are happy with the new chairs. 

[nikiz628]

I decluttered $5,500 today on DS1's orthodontic plan. Upfront payment was required. 

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 14, 2021 14:24:47 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

TheOtherMe , the history Zoom class sounds intriguing!

It was excellent.  The history of Native Americans in Iowa presented by a Native American who has researched it and has a PhD in anthropology.

The entire state once belonged to Indians.  Now they have a reservation that relies on a bingo hall and two small reservations.

[busymom]

You've got me beat, nikiz628.  I "decluttered" close to $900 for new tires on my SUV.  Ouch!!  But, this is snow country, and I'd gotten my money's worth out of the old tires.

[Iggy aka IG]

Oof, nikiz628!

[nikiz628]

Jan 14, 2021 17:16:55 GMT -5 busymom said:

You've got me beat, nikiz628 .  I "decluttered" close to $900 for new tires on my SUV.  Ouch!!  But, this is snow country, and I'd gotten my money's worth out of the old tires.

That's money well spent IMO. Good tires are very important! 

[debthaven]

Ouch nikiz628 , that's a lot. But it's for a good cause. :-)

I'm glad you'll be safe on the roads busymom . 

The wood-burning fireplace insert was installed yesterday! Between Christmas, the new DR furniture and that, it feels like we're bleeding money these days. 

Doing laundry today. 

[CCL]

I had to move my mail tray out of the living room. That kinda forced me to go thru it all to get it off my desk. Then that led to decluttering/scanning the last of my paper files. There are just a couple items left that I want to keep for a while. It's such a relief to be done with all those papers!

I have this idea now that I should get a smaller desk. I don't use it much anymore since I can do most things with my phone. I'm thinking about something like this:

www.containerstore.com/s/elfa-platinum-and-driftwood-shelving-office-nook/d?q=Wall+mounted+desk&productId=11014816

I still need a drawer, though, so may have to get something bigger. I see a trip to The Container Store in my future.

[chiver78]

I found out yesterday that we now get MLK Jr Day off, due to finally aligning HR policies after the company merger. I had already planned to take Wed off to watch the Inauguration, so I decided to take Tuesday as well and now I have a 5-day weekend.     Saturday is going to be 50mph winds and rain, so I have no problem staying inside to unpack more.

I think my goal for this weekend is to get my office 100% unpacked and cleaned. I'm okay with having a stack of empty frames leaning against the wall, but the boxes and crates will be emptied and sorted/pitched. I've got a pile of paperwork on the floor next to me that needs to be filed, but the file cabinet is blocked by a box. enough of this, need to get organized. 

[wvugurl26]

Thursday must have been the day to declutter money. The final check went to the contractor for the front door/window, stairs and entry way prep.

The person on the local page had already bought kitchen stuff at Goodwill. I was hoping someone else would chime in. Most of it is where we need to clean out to put a treadmill. Once I have it all together I will list it as free or call the other store to see what they will take. Or maybe one of DH's nieces/nephews will finally move out!!

[TheOtherMe]

The biggest thing I intend to do today is get the old computer ready for recycling.  I want to use the version of Office that is on that computer on this computer.  That means I have to uninstall and reinstall.

[laterbloomer]

My goal this weekend is to do the spot painting in my office and see how much of the furniture I can put together. We'll see how that goes!

[debthaven]

CCL the desk is too minimalist for our needs, but I love it! It looks like you could add another shelf if you need one. You could have a small drawer unit to one side, ie where the plant is. And put a printer on top if you use one. I swear I don't work for Ikea LOL, but they have small units that would work. 

I found out this afternoon that I'm supposed to go back to Job 1 in person on Mon 25 Jan. To say I am freaking out would be a huge understatement. Numbers are up, and the population I teach is generally not careful.

I am hoping to get a medical dispensation. I made an appt with my GP for Tuesday afternoon. But I may be dreaming, and I don't know my new GP very well. She may well refuse.

With numbers going up and talk of a third lockdown, and the vaccine so close, this seems frankly criminal to me. 

Or maybe one of DH's nieces/nephews will finally move out!!

wvugurl26 , if they're planning to in the near future, maybe they'd be interested anyway!

busymom did your house close?!

[Iggy aka IG]

Happy Friday, everyone!  I am leaving early to go make freezer meals for niece1, who is expecting her first baby next month.  Because I'll be away most of the weekend, I'll do laundry as I make said meals.

Have a relaxing weekend, friends. 

[debthaven]

That is so kind of you Iggy aka IG ! You and TheOtherMe are such fabulous aunts!

[TheOtherMe]

It's taken the entire afternoon to get programs off the old computer.  It took over an hour to get Office off of it, but not very long for it to install on the new one.  That is why I got a new computer.  Got Office activated over the phone (via text) and it's ready to go.

[busymom]

No, debthaven, I'm sorry to report that our house has not closed yet.  Blame COVID.  It has made paperwork processing a nightmare.  Still waiting...