2021 Declutter Stuff & Organize Your Life

[Lizard Queen]

DH is having the kids go through a box each of their old school papers/artwork. He wants them to go through more, but I don't want to overwhelm them.

As far as cleaning up after Thanksgiving, I think it's a Polish thing to keep things out, because if you clean everything up it's a sign that it's time to leave. Or, you only clean up in order to put other stuff on the table, so that guests linger. It's kinda weird, and something I picked up on gradually throughout my life.

[chiver78]

I think I'm getting the runaround from the woman that wanted my kitchen stuff. so annoying. again this morning, she pm'd to say she wants the glassware and utensils. um no, you're getting the whole box and I am not splitting it out, I said exactly that in the listing. so irritating!

in other news, I did end up going to the reunion. it was better than I was expecting, and I actually had a good time. I talked to everyone (that was there) that I wanted to, was ignored by those I expected to be ignored by, and had a very satisfying walking away from one woman who was a first class bitch to me once we got to HS after being tight in grade school. she was actually still talking as I walked off and called someone else by name. hard pass, ma'am. what surprised me was the hugs from some people who never gave me the time of day back then, asking how my dogs are and where they were this weekend if I was there. lol... so that was nice. I was excited to see my former tennis doubles partner, and by the way she tackled me when I walked in, I guess she was happy to see me too 🙂. I think we had the function room til midnight, and a lot of people got rooms to stay over. by about 1030 it was clear who doesn't drink all that often, and that the last hour or so would become a sloppy shit show for many, so I took my cue to head out. I'm glad I went, but I can take or leave another one of those in the future.

[toomuchreality]

Nov 28, 2021 14:02:52 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

I think I'm getting the runaround from the woman that wanted my kitchen stuff. so annoying. again this morning, she pm'd to say she wants the glassware and utensils. um no, you're getting the whole box and I am not splitting it out, I said exactly that in the listing. so irritating!

in other news, I did end up going to the reunion. it was better than I was expecting, and I actually had a good time. I talked to everyone (that was there) that I wanted to, was ignored by those I expected to be ignored by, and had a very satisfying walking away from one woman who was a first class bitch to me once we got to HS after being tight in grade school. she was actually still talking as I walked off and called someone else by name. hard pass, ma'am. what surprised me was the hugs from some people who never gave me the time of day back then, asking how my dogs are and where they were this weekend if I was there. lol... so that was nice. I was excited to see my former tennis doubles partner, and by the way she tackled me when I walked in, I guess she was happy to see me too 🙂. I think we had the function room til midnight, and a lot of people got rooms to stay over. by about 1030 it was clear who doesn't drink all that often, and that the last hour or so would become a sloppy shit show for many, so I took my cue to head out. I'm glad I went, but I can take or leave another one of those in the future.

That I know of, my class had a 1 year and a 40 year reunion. I went to the 40 year. It was better than I expected. I left around 10pm. I could take or leave going to another one.
My social anxiety doesn't help.

I don't think there was alcohol available at mine, which surprised me.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Nov 28, 2021 11:37:43 GMT -5 startsmart said:

Monthly Declutter Goals? I wanted to test something out in December and curious if anyone wants to play along. I was thinking we could post by the 1st or 2nd of the month our declutter/organization goals and then check in at the end of the month to see progress.

My thinking is that time seems to fly by and I never look back at my annual goals. For me, I would like to keep focused on the projects I need to complete and not get distracted by the "normal" house stuff like laundry and dishes. 

Anyone want to play along in December with me? 

I'm in! 

[debthaven]

I won't join in for now, but maybe in January ...

This week
- pharmacy/Mon
- doc appt/Wed
- mark late report/Wed or Thurs

My Monday classes are over so I'm off tomorrow! I'm only at school Tues-Thurs this week, and on Zoom on Friday. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

We're packing up Thanksgiving and autumn decorations today and tomorrow. 
I'm packing that stuff for moving. I'll probably purge some of it. 

I'm also starting a list of furniture I don't think we'll take with us when we move. 
so far, it's 
two book shelves from my DD's youngest years. One of thme has been painted at least four times. Neither are very table anymore. 
DD#2's mattress and box spring. I'm pretty sure it was actually DS #2's, so it's at least 15 years old. 
Neither of the bathroom trash cans

[debthaven]

How is your husband doing Chloe? Have you decided where you’re moving yet? (Obviously I’m not ask you to tell us where!)

[Sharon]

Took another large load over this weekend.  Now to just do the final packing before the movers come.  I also ordered a sandwich platter from Safeway for Friday to feed the movers and the helpers.  I will also get a fruit platter and I've already gotten a couple of those packages that contain individual packages of a variety of chips.

I crashed hard Saturday night and slept for close to 12 hours.

[bean29]

Start Smart, I need to scan documents-monthly goals seems like a good idea. I’m in too.

We got the garage clean enough to park my car inside. DH needs to get his mustang covered. We put most of the Christmas Decorations up. The hard stuff is done. We did not get the grill & Lawn chairs in yet though. DH has snowblower gassed up & he got it started. He had some trouble with it.

Chloe-wishing you luck on your Move. Are you putting the Outdoor Christmas Decorations up this year?

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Nov 28, 2021 19:21:14 GMT -5 debthaven said:

How is your husband doing Chloe? Have you decided where you’re moving yet? (Obviously I’m not ask you to tell us where!)

He actually just said "I've felt really good today; this is the best day I've had in a long time". 
No,  we've not decided, but we've narrowed it down to three areas that we'll consider. In my professional realm, jobs that start in July are posted the previous November - April. While we won't wait until April, we are just now able to consider job postings. DH has been called twice already--no applications. People just know he's resigned from his current position.

Nov 28, 2021 19:45:10 GMT -5 bean29 said:

Start Smart, I need to scan documents-monthly goals seems like a good idea. I’m in too.

We got the garage clean enough to park my car inside. DH needs to get his mustang covered. We put most of the Christmas Decorations up. The hard stuff is done. We did not get the grill & Lawn chairs in yet though. DH has snowblower gassed up & he got it started. He had some trouble with it.

Chloe-wishing you luck on your Move. Are you putting the Outdoor Christmas Decorations up this year?

We are, and we bought more this weekend. 
I was sad about not putting them up for Halloween, but DH is feeling much better. He's only allowed to work 20 hours per week (which probably means he'll work 30), and he's going to start putting them up tomorrow. 

[startsmart]

Monthly Declutter Goals

I've been thinking a lot about what I could commit to for the month of December that I'm not already going to do. I have a bin full of papers in my living room and I'd like to go through it completely, scan paperwork I need to keep, shred what I don't and file what I need hard copies of and get that done by the end of the month. 

One of the coaches I work with also does "consequences" for the promises we make to ourselves so if I don't finish the bin by Jan 1st, everything in it gets tossed in the trash. Which would feel horrible because I'm always convinced there's something genius or magical in the paperwork from clients that I hoard lol

I just set up my new floor lamp for the chair where I have the box of papers and I'm going to drag over a pop up table and my scanner so I can get started on this by Wednesday. My file cabinet is already in my office and ready to be used, I just need to get started. 

[TheOtherMe]

My goal is to get the Family Group Sheets for my dad's side of the family done.  My mom's side is done.  However, she didn't keep up with the information from dad's side like she did on her side.

I need to get mom's side packaged and mailed.  

[moneysquirrel]

Managed to start going through some files and was able to eliminate a few bags of shredding as well as some non-essential booklets.  Have quite a bit more to do in the files as I just started this process and should be able to eliminate a bit more.  

I hope to start putting up the Christmas items in the next few days as well. I did pull a lot ofthe items out of the closet and into a good spot to work from.  

I also have been working on the last project from my summer craft retreat.  I made some adjustments to the pattern and that part of the project is 99% finished.  Now I am working on a beaded chain for this pendant.  The chain isn't quite long enough at the moment -- several more hours of work and it will be finished.  I have done quite a few smaller projects this fall --mainly items I needed for the craft shows.  I have two more shows this year and have no plans to make any additional items for them.  I do need to take photos so I can add some additional items to the Etsy shop.  I really need to work more on that venture but it is not as much fun as the process of making the items.  I did sell several items that was on there at recent craft shows so i have less inventory available for my online shop that I have photos and descriptions ready for.

chiver78 -- I find that the longer my class is away from high school the more enjoyable are the reunions.  We had our 50th a few years ago and it was great to see those who were able to come.  We were a small class and have already lost several members.  Ours was a luncheon.

debthaven -- Your last week. You made it.

startsmart -- I will continue my efforts to declutter throughout the month.  For me this is an ongoing process.  

Goodnight all, I am being to fade.  Will check in when I can.  Classes the next few days so will be busy.  

[startsmart]

Well I made some good progress today and got about half the bin done. So of course I found other paper piles and got the bin filled back up lol.

I filed a bunch of financial statements and have a basket for paperwork to file.

There’s a stack to scan and a stack to type into my online filing systems.

I’m feeling good about progress so far and had some time tonight to work on the quilt. I have 70 more pieces to attach and then I’ll be done and can photograph it. Tomorrow is a busy day with recycling to haul in, grocery shopping, paint shopping and the dentist (all out of town).

[anciana]

Nov 28, 2021 11:37:43 GMT -5 startsmart said:

Monthly Declutter Goals? I wanted to test something out in December and curious if anyone wants to play along. I was thinking we could post by the 1st or 2nd of the month our declutter/organization goals and then check in at the end of the month to see progress.

My thinking is that time seems to fly by and I never look back at my annual goals. For me, I would like to keep focused on the projects I need to complete and not get distracted by the "normal" house stuff like laundry and dishes. 

Anyone want to play along in December with me? 

I would love too but I can't get the motivation. I feel like I tried, was extremely motivated to do this one project, and it worked out in the end, but I can't get moving again, it didn't translate into something more after the original project was completed. So, I am sadly back to procrastinating and feeling very tired. I will try and rally again as this is not sustainable long term. We'll see how it goes, gotta get those fingers crossed and then open to get on with the work, lol

[TheOtherMe]

My first batch of Christmas cards went in the mail today.  So 1/3 down.  

A lot of broken down boxes went out with the recycling.  The past few weeks have been so windy, I haven't put them out.

[chiver78]

I dropped off a box of Christmas decorations just now, back in my old neighborhood. I kept a few things that look like they might be important to family, and one ornament that is a Hallmark memorial to a late friend (I bought two, and sent one to him before he passed. his widow still hangs it in a prominent location on her tree ) .  I'll repack the remaining items into another box/crate and then I'll be able to pitch the Rubbermaid drawer unit they had been stored in. I've had that thing since college, and managed to lose two of the drawers along the way. well, I know where they are, but that was 15y ago, I highly doubt those folks still have them either. it's time. lol... 

[debthaven]

debthaven -- Your last week. You made it.

I still have 2 days to go moneysquirrel    Especially since I realized last night that our booster appts were scheduled on 11 Dec, which was over the new 7-month limit set by the gov't, which meant we might have both lost our "vaccination passes". I don't know what would have happened, but I didn't want to find out!

By miracle I found 2 appts for this evening. I hope I don't have a bad reaction, because I need to go into school tomorrow and Thursday.

This week
- pharmacy/Mon
- booster shots/Tues
- surgeon appt/Wed
- mark late report/Wed or Thurs

[TheOtherMe]

I am so looking forward to another session with the organizer.  What I told her I wanted to do is not what we are going to do.  I'm going to email her and let her know.

I had asked her if we could hang the old family photos that have hung in parents' house for years.  I still want to do that but after Christmas as the decorations are in the way. 

That means we can make stacks of stuff to keep, donate and trash!!!!

[wvugurl26]

December goal 50 items gone.

Additional goals:

1. make sure the excess kitchen stuff is part of the 50 items gone
2. bag of shredding

[toomuchreality]

Got tested for Covid today. Negative.
YAY!
Stopped and bought milk and a few things at the grocery store.
Washed and dried my car. (Been thinking I would do that forever.)
Now I'm going to go get my booster shot and my 2nd shingles vaccine. Then vacuum my car.
I feel fairly productive today, compared to most days. I hope it lasts.

[startsmart]

Productive day despite the dental appointment in the middle of it. I forgot that this was a cleaning + a replacement filling so it took twice as long and then my face was numb for 8 hours.

I didn't get the paint but I can pick that up in town this weekend. 
Grocery shopping and dog food is done for the month (I hope!) and I got the file folders I need for my paper project. 
Donated 2 bags of recycling so thats out of the way and put the trash out for pickup tomorrow.

I also scheduled my booster shot for Thursday so I can have the weekend to recover. 

While I didn't make progress on the paper bin today I only have 35 more pieces of the quilt to attach before it is done! 

[Iggy aka IG]

startsmart, what a great idea!  I'm in.

Iggy's December declutter goals:
Personal:  My home office I posted about a few pages back.  Right now, the room is full of year-round knickknacks, throw pillows, etc. to make room for the Christmas decor.  However, I can still focus on clearing off the desk, filing, etc.

Office:  It's our slow time of year here, so theoretically I'll have time to file, purge, and a few other things.  I need to process the 2022 calendar mailing project first, however.

I haven't posted for a while and appreciate everyone's progress!  Over the holiday four-day weekend, in addition to the usual tasks, I washed the bath mats, swept and Swiffered the bathroom floor, cleared off and scrubbed our bathroom vanity, organized the medicine cupboard and tossed 5 or so items, decorated the main floor and tree, and went Christmas shopping.

[debthaven]

I really didn't feel well when I woke up so I postponed my post-op appt with the surgeon because I couldn't face the drive after work. Not ideal, I know. 

Good thing I did ... A's house was burgled today and she was (very understandably) in a state. I went there on my way home and spent two hours there. Poor A can't catch a break.   

This week
- mark late report/Thurs
- work out/input Job 1 first year marks (final presentation+participation) X 2/Thurs
- work out/input Job 2 first year marks (final presentation+participation) X 2/Thurs

Some of this may carry over to the weekend. My 4 sets of second and third-year marks are all done. I'm working Friday morning, but from home.   

Unbelievably, laundry/dishes/kitchen are caught up ...

[TheOtherMe]

I'm sorry A's house was burgled today.  That happened to me in 1984 and I still remember it like it just happened.  

It feels like you have been violated everywhere.  Absolutely everywhere.  

[Sharon]

I'm sorry to hear that A's house was burglarized.  That is such a frightening feeling.  That has happened to me twice.  After the second time I slept on the couch for a year with the TV on and all the lights on.

All of the property transactions funded and were recorded today.  The movers will be here tomorrow and I still have so much to do.  I was able to pick up 7 more nice big boxes at the grocery store this evening.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Here’s my December goal:

—Deep Clean Kitchen
—purge five items from the kitchen
(not counting paperwork)
—purge ten clothing items
—purge 1/3 of my books
(DD’s books don’t count 😆)

[debthaven]

This weekend
- finish Job 1 first-year marks X 4/Thurs
- mark late report/Thurs
- finish Job 2 first-year marks X 4/Thurs+Fri

Semester countdown: 15/15 weeks done!!! 

(I'm working for two more weeks, but no more student classes ... just meetings/professor+staff classes/marking finals.)

[finnime]

Good for you, debthaven! You made it!

[debthaven]

Thank you finnime ! Y'all kept me going.