|
Post by zbear on Jan 27, 2011 12:25:26 GMT -5
Wow sheila you guys are being so productive. We need to work on the garage in the worst way but I'm on a mission to tackle the office right now!
All I got accomplished yesterday was clearing off the top of my desk at home. Filed a bunch of papers and threw lots of stuff away. Now I just need to dust it tonight! My next goal is to file or shred a bunch of papers on the floor.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Jan 27, 2011 12:28:27 GMT -5
zbear- Don't be too impressed. DH is seasonally laid off until like mid-march or april so I put him to work. I spent several hours sorting the legos but he is listing them on eBay and the one cleaning the garage. He has from when DS and I leave at 7:15 until he picks the boy up from school at 3:00 to get his to do list done.
|
|
|
Post by boosmom on Jan 27, 2011 14:14:38 GMT -5
I cleared out some stuff last night from the dining room. It doesn't look like a whole lot got accomplished, but it took an hour to organize/clear the stuff and it was a nice little victory for me.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Jan 27, 2011 14:53:05 GMT -5
boo's mom- I think when it comes to all of this decluttering and organizing I would take any and every victory you can get Sometimes it looks worse before it looks better - or at least that's what I keep telling myself!
|
|
|
Post by boosmom on Jan 27, 2011 15:04:14 GMT -5
Thanks! I do take anything I can get. ;D
Ain't that the truth!
|
|
ambellamy
Established Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 10:05:26 GMT -5
Posts: 458
|
Post by ambellamy on Jan 27, 2011 15:43:49 GMT -5
Thanks! I do take anything I can get. ;D Ain't that the truth! ah, that would be my living room right now. the back half of the condo is clean, but the front half is still messy from the stuff i removed from the back half. I think i'll spend more time today cateloguing things for goodwill...
|
|
|
Post by debtheaven on Jan 27, 2011 15:54:18 GMT -5
Boo, I take my hats off to any and all of you for ANY decluttering you do!!! It all helps! I am hoping to finish my overdue paperwork this weekend but I have a ton of grading to do and I'm in the process of applying for more teaching jobs and that's been incredibly time-consuming.
I did go through the kids' medicine chest last night though, and chucked a bunch of stuff. This is another area where DH tends to "hoard" so I need to do it while he is either asleep or out of the house. The kids' medicine drawer is easy, it's when I try to do ours that things can get difficult.
|
|
gardenergirl
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:40:02 GMT -5
Posts: 754
|
Post by gardenergirl on Jan 28, 2011 9:40:09 GMT -5
My de-cluttering tip for the day - De-clutter your wallets/purses. I know I need to do mine! I had to take DD to the doctor the other day, and I almost handed over the wrong insurance card! I have new insurance this year, but still had my old card in there. It's something we don't usually think about, at least I don't, but need to!
|
|
|
Post by boosmom on Jan 28, 2011 12:42:51 GMT -5
Yay, got to work on the dining table last night. A big stack of papers has been reduced to a much smaller one. Of course, there are multiple stacks. But, a lot of it was daycare updates and newsletters. I swear the kids are clutter magnets for me! But they're worth it.
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jan 28, 2011 15:09:10 GMT -5
Yeah, DD is starting to bring home art work from dcp although only 3 pieces so far. I've got 2 of the 3 pieces taped to her bedroom door. The 3rd is on the fridge.
|
|
ambellamy
Established Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 10:05:26 GMT -5
Posts: 458
|
Post by ambellamy on Jan 28, 2011 15:25:57 GMT -5
I went ahead and decluttered the storage room at my work.... the things they kept in there .... broken pieces to the bikes... 5 mops.... ripped water slickers.... ewww Now you can walk in there and things are actually on the shelving units.
|
|
|
Post by boosmom on Jan 28, 2011 18:18:20 GMT -5
oh the artwork! Sometimes I feel guilty about tossing them, but #1 is profuse in her artwork, so never mind. I keep some, but not everything. #2's artwork started off as very minimal (wasn't his favorite activity at preschool), but has gotten more detailed over the months. I do use the ones on construction paper to make birthday and parents' day cards for the grands and great-grands. I did a whole bunch of cleaning and organizing today (off from work). It's great! The corner in the playroom is actually accessible now vs. blocked by all kinds of boxes and crap. I'm thrilled!
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Jan 29, 2011 19:52:12 GMT -5
Made $250 selling the first wave of stuff on ebay. 7 lbs of legos, the lego train tracks, lego plane pieces, some cookbooks and dvds. Not bad at all. DH is all psyched and rounded up more stuff to sell. I have actually decided to part with Louis and his cousin Louis (2 of my purses). Going to keep selling the legos one box at a time. Still need to put the mini figures into sets and get those listed too. Quick glance through the bookcase and came up with a box of books to donate too. On a roll today
|
|
|
Post by debtheaven on Jan 29, 2011 20:23:05 GMT -5
About kids' artwork ... I beech about DH being the hoarder in the family but I am a total s.ucker for my kids' artwork. With four kids, it adds up LOL.
A good friend would buy (not sure what it's called in English) an A4 filer with transparent sheets. One a week or once a month she would go through her sons' artwork and together they would decide what got filed, and what didn't.
For me who kept literally every sheet of paper my kids ever interacted with, this was a revelation LOL. So we adopted that system with DS3, our fourth child. At this point we have abandoned it but he has two filers and DH and I both have a file for him.
|
|
|
Post by debtheaven on Jan 29, 2011 20:26:51 GMT -5
Sheila, well done!
Just curious, are you still keeping some? Our DSs are the same age I think (12) and sometimes (admittedly not often) when DS3 is sick or sad he still sometimes enjoys playing with his old Kaplas or Brio trains. And he brings them out for his younger cousins.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Jan 30, 2011 8:29:43 GMT -5
Thanks Yes DS is 12 and yes we did keep a decent amount of Legos for him to still play with (one basket ful). He may be nearly a teenager but he is still my baby!
|
|
cheerleadingmama7
New Member
I cheer for savings!!
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 22:34:07 GMT -5
Posts: 39
|
Post by cheerleadingmama7 on Jan 30, 2011 22:25:25 GMT -5
My de-cluttering tip for the day - De-clutter your wallets/purses. I know I need to do mine! I had to take DD to the doctor the other day, and I almost handed over the wrong insurance card! I have new insurance this year, but still had my old card in there. It's something we don't usually think about, at least I don't, but need to! I did that on Friday - I try to go through my purse once a week but it is usually more like every 2 weeks. Helps keep me much more organized! I started doing that after I couldn't find my debt card anywhere to pay for my groceries. I knew it was in my purse but it took me forever to find it - never again!!
|
|
cheerleadingmama7
New Member
I cheer for savings!!
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 22:34:07 GMT -5
Posts: 39
|
Post by cheerleadingmama7 on Jan 30, 2011 22:28:41 GMT -5
Yeah, DD is starting to bring home art work from dcp although only 3 pieces so far. I've got 2 of the 3 pieces taped to her bedroom door. The 3rd is on the fridge. My 2 kids are clutter magnents too - I now have 2 small plastic bins in the basement where I can keep the best of their work or the things that I want to keep as reminders for them. My goal is to have a few things from each year. I make sure I put the year on it before it goes in the bin. It is working well for me - cause I hate to throw thier things away - so this helps to limit me to the best of the best if you will.
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jan 31, 2011 9:49:30 GMT -5
I like the commercial from a few years back where the artwork was taking over the kitchen so Dad used the digital camera to record it all and then downloaded it somewhere forever. We'll probably end up doing something like that and hang on to the "important" stuff - like the Christmas tree on the fridget that DD likes to play with the magnets holding it on the fridge...
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Jan 31, 2011 11:27:28 GMT -5
I found the first mouse I have had in my house in the 10 years that I have lived here the other day. So now I am on a major decluttering phase. I said I was going to declutter last year and didn't do much in the way of that. So this year I am definitely going to. I have been digging stuff out of closets and listing them on ebay since last Wednesday when the mouse was discovered. I know it will take me ages to clean everything out and what I know I won't get anything out of on ebay I am just going to donate. I am looking forward to having a cleaned out house so maybe that will give me incentive. I always feel so much better when there is no clutter, just hasn't happened in the last 10 years since the kids moved out. I either get more stuff or I get their stuff that they don't want and want to put on a yard sale.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Jan 31, 2011 12:30:00 GMT -5
ilovedolphins- I bet the first time you threaten to charge the kids "storage fees" on their stuff they will be less likely to leave it at your place Getting closer to being clutter free. DH made another huge milestone yesterday. I am anti gun- just never been around them. DH has inherited a healthy number of them and has now decided to start selling them. Only keeping his dad's competition ones (his dad was one of the founding members of the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol team). So better the things going on the door thanks to ebay, the drop offs at the thrift store and now this we are chugging right along. Still a pretty long way to go but I can see some progress already
|
|
ilovedolphins
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 10:56:31 GMT -5
Posts: 1,930
|
Post by ilovedolphins on Jan 31, 2011 12:32:38 GMT -5
Yes, I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the stuff so I am starting with one cabinet until it gets gone through and then will start on another area. I work about 55 hours a week so I don't have a lot of time to work at home. But I am committing myself to at least listing 10 things a week on ebay.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Jan 31, 2011 13:06:52 GMT -5
ilovedolpins- only reason I have been able to get so much done is because DH is laid off for the next few weeks. It helps that he has decided to jump on the de-clutter band wagon. I find the things, he takes the pics and lists on eBay, I do the packaging up and shipping out. I have to go to the post office every day for work so the shipping isn't a big deal.
|
|
gardenergirl
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:40:02 GMT -5
Posts: 754
|
Post by gardenergirl on Jan 31, 2011 13:46:11 GMT -5
sheila - that is so great that you made that much money selling stuff on ebay. You are an inspiration to me! I need to get back on Craiglist and sell some stuff. This weekend DH's two brothers and a friend came for a visit. That means 4 boys in my house. That means 3 bathrooms and all toilet seats have been up. I do recall from the previous thread that this was VERY bad Feng Shui!!! I believe to do this allowed money to go down the toilet, or something to that effect. It has been driving me nuts. I will also have to do a very thorough cleaning once they leave tonight. My house WAS clean before they came It was so beautiful here this weekend, 60's and sunny that I was able to get some yard work done. I circled the entire house and cleaned up all my flower beds. Deadheaded the perennials, raked the leaves out of the flower bed, even pulled a couple weeds that decided to pop up. It's too early for weeds!! Oh it was so nice to get some stuff done outside though and enjoy that weather.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Feb 1, 2011 12:41:15 GMT -5
First pile of stuff sold on eBay is at the post office. Estimated on shipping and came out slightly ahead Next pile is currently for sale. So far we have made over $550 selling junk that we cluttering up our house and that none of us wanted anymore! DH is going to paint my office this week. Then I am going to re-arrange it and organize my files this weekend. As it is organized now I can't really get into my filing cabinet very well.
|
|
dianartemis
Well-Known Member
God made me and started laughing
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 15:43:10 GMT -5
Posts: 1,722
|
Post by dianartemis on Feb 1, 2011 13:48:55 GMT -5
Yay Shiela!
|
|
ambellamy
Established Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 10:05:26 GMT -5
Posts: 458
|
Post by ambellamy on Feb 1, 2011 22:33:38 GMT -5
I like the commercial from a few years back where the artwork was taking over the kitchen so Dad used the digital camera to record it all and then downloaded it somewhere forever. We'll probably end up doing something like that and hang on to the "important" stuff - like the Christmas tree on the fridget that DD likes to play with the magnets holding it on the fridge... I love the idea of taking pictures of the artwork, that way you can save everything for memories sake.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Feb 2, 2011 9:20:52 GMT -5
Ok- going to try to tackle a big project at work today. I have a big bag that I haul my lunch and book to work in. It also collects all of my mail, pay stubs, etc. So I am going to go through and clean it out if I have some down time at work today. That's one that has been bugging me for a while so I am looking forward to being able to cross that one off the old list
|
|
Martivir
Established Member
Joined: Jan 1, 2011 11:56:36 GMT -5
Posts: 303
|
Post by Martivir on Feb 2, 2011 10:55:06 GMT -5
ilovedolphins, forget storage fees. My parents told I had till the end of January to get my stuff out of their basement or it was going to charity. It worked. Thing is that you have to be willing to follow through. I still have a couple of things down there but nothing near what I used to.
I finally got the junk collector.. I mean my desk... cleared off. DH it over as a designated area for his job search. One safe from the master of destruction known as DS. I had a plastic grocery bag of stuff to be shredded and another to throw out.
|
|
|
Post by zbear on Feb 2, 2011 12:29:57 GMT -5
Wow sheila that is so awesome! It's like you had $550 just laying around!!!! I really need to sell stuff too, for sure I have about $100 in junk I can sell. Last night I decluttered the laundry room, we end up piling stuff up in there that needs to go somewhere else. It's like DH can't walk 10 extra steps to put something in the garage . But finally got the laundry almost caught up so the floor is nearly clean and the surfaces all clean. I also started on the guest room, I got 2 boxes out of there, now I just need to go through them. Man, I feel like I just have stuff everywhere!
|
|