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Post by lilacgal on Jan 1, 2020 19:07:55 GMT
Does throwing out one’s back count? 🤦🏻♀️
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,502
Oct 2, 2017 23:20:46 GMT
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Post by mich5481 on Jan 1, 2020 19:34:56 GMT
I used up 3 face/body samples, 1 mud mask, and 1 sheet mask today. Does that count? 😂
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jan 1, 2020 20:09:03 GMT
Im in - with a focus on m scrapbook room, DS1 closet and laundry room. Yay, mom has joined our merry gang! Great idea to focus on a few rooms. You'll definitely see the impact and not lose a lot of energy running about the house all the time to find items. Should we use this thread to check in each day? Yes, let's keep things clean on the board and keep it all in this thread. Lesson n°1 in minimalism. I've been going through my scraproom for stuff I won't use. The local Girl Scouts are happy to receive whatever I give! I didn't bother to count items LOL would probably have enough to knock out the whole month! WOW! What an impressive item loot, MDscrapaholic ! You win today's best player award, methinks. The Girl Scouts are going to have so many items to play with, lucky girls. It must feel awesome to have gathered so many things and put them away to be donated! oday, friends, I threw out ONE bottle of soap from my bathroom cabinet. And then promptly replaced it with another one. Hey now, don't be too harsh on yourself: it's still one bottle out of the house in the end. The zombie apocalypse isn't near as far as I know so I think you're totally allowed to not keep things that you just don't love. Goodbye, meh-smelling soap. Does throwing out one’s back count? 🤦🏻♀️ Oh no! What happened? I'd suggest hanging on to it, however... I hope you have some pain relief and a comfy mattress or couch to rest on. *hugs* I used up 3 face/body samples, 1 mud mask, and 1 sheet mask today. Does that count? 😂 Eh? I mean, you got rid of them, right? Should count if you want it to, you cheeky monkey!
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jan 1, 2020 20:13:42 GMT
I took out a lamp we've been meaning to give to a friend who enjoys 1980s and early 1990s stuff (AKA the new vintage). It's a beautiful wood thing in great condition that has good resale value on the secondhand market but I knew she'd been lusting over it so it made me way happier to surprise her with it. It was quite the adventure taking it on the bus as it's big but it turned into a fun memory.
Day 1: achievement unlocked. Phew!
How are the other players doing?
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Post by ecvnj58 on Jan 1, 2020 20:44:28 GMT
I replaced a broken battery in something.
I also got rid of a bag full of hats and scarves. Technically it’s sitting in my car to donate but I will drop it off tomorrow.
I’m also getting rid of a flower painting I never really liked.
I’m hungover. That’s probably all you are getting today 🤣 I’m lying around watching scrappy YouTube and playing games with the kids.
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Post by catseatcheese on Jan 1, 2020 21:45:14 GMT
Day 1: I put 3 lamps (that came with our apartment...long story) that we have literally never used in the bin to go down for recycling (in my neighborhood we will set them out by the recycling and someone will come and get them before they take it away). I also went through several different "boxes" in the IKEA Kallax unit and found a whole bunch of stuff to recycle. In there were 2 iPhones (3G and 4...the 3G has to be from about 2007 or 2008) and a whole lot of cords. I went through an entire box that contained "cords of the unknown" (I KNOW you all have a box, bin, bag, or drawer with this too!). I threw out all of the cords that had no reason for living anymore and found my way through the spiderweb of others to neatly roll all remaining and secure with a bit of old and not fashionable washi tape. I feel like it was a pretty good day. I have a lot more to go through over the next several days. Day 2: I found 1 shirt that I haven't worn in so long I don't even remember to put in the "clothing bin" (near our recycling bins by the street there are also some for clothing...I'm not totally sure what they do with it but it seems to go to some charity). In addition to that (and this one is a bit embarrassing but I guess I'm not the only one...) I went through a TON of packaging boxes and put them in recycling. What I mean by this the is the package that something came in when we bought it. I don't know why but sometimes I feel the need to keep these. I also had a Birchbox subscription like 2 years ago and kept all of the cute little boxes. I know I didn't need them anymore so I just kept a couple of the prettiest (I actually HAVE used them to give small gifts) and put the rest in recycling. Feeling good so far. I hope I can keep it up. Day 3: I went through the bookshelves today and found 10 books that I no longer need/want. I am a member of an English speaking book club in Madrid and we meet once per month. I will take the books to the book club and give them away to whoever wants them. If no one wants them then I will donate them. My husband loves books and if there is anything that he does not like to get rid of it is his book collection...so these were only books that I purchased and that I knew he was not interested in keeping. He does not do crafts and have other "hoards" so I let him have his books . Day 4: Today I continued on my New Year's cleaning and purging. Today I was in the craft room. I went through a couple of fabric "boxes" that I use for storing (ok...hiding) different craft items. I found several old inserts for traveler's notebooks that were used as planners. I realized that I no longer need those planner inserts from several years ago so I put them in the recycling. Day 5: I have hundreds of pens. Today I went through a container of pens (all sorts of pens and markers). I found several that no longer work, where I have duplicates, or that I have not used in years. I put about 10 pens in the recycling box. Day 6 and 7: Today I may have covered day 6 and day 7. I went through a couple of drawers in the closet and found 21 pieces of rarely worn (and for sure not worn in the last year) pieces. I took the advice of you ladies and started a bag that I plan to use throughout the next weeks to keep adding more (as I go through additional drawers). We do have a charity bin across the street so I will take everything there. Day 8, 9, 10: Missed checking in for a couple of days. I went through a buffet type furniture unit (that's the only way I know how to describe it) as it was full of different items. I cleared out the drawers and filled a bag with all of the stuff. I didn't count it but I am certain there were at least 30 or so items, receipts, old credit cards, old fit bit parts, and a bunch of other riffraff that we no longer need. Day 11 and 12: Ok it is the weekend so I had more time to spend on cleaning, organizing, and purging. I started in the craft room (yet to throw out scrappy related things yet....). I have several drawers full of who knows what. Different cards and envelope sets, leftover Christmas cards from years past where there were just 1-2 that were not used, etc. I went through those drawers and found several bags of stuff to purge. Some of these sets I had since high school or first years of college and I am never going to use them. Others I organized into those that I will use and put them together. I had so much room leftover that I was able to move everything from one set of drawers to the other and then we are going to get rid of that set of drawers. I did not count how much I threw out but it is a full trash can or two.
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Post by catseatcheese on Jan 1, 2020 21:46:46 GMT
I took out a lamp we've been meaning to give to a friend who enjoys 1980s and early 1990s stuff (AKA the new vintage). It's a beautiful wood thing in great condition that has good resale value on the secondhand market but I knew she'd been lusting over it so it made me way happier to surprise her with it. It was quite the adventure taking it on the bus as it's big but it turned into a fun memory. Day 1: achievement unlocked. Phew! How are the other players doing? The three lamps that I put out were not at all vintage. They were like the 10 euro ones from IKEA. They do not put out much light and to me they look like something you would only use in a kids room. I think it is great you re-used an item!
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Post by anniefb on Jan 1, 2020 22:03:34 GMT
Ok I’m in. The house is definitely in need of a declutter.
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Post by ss on Jan 2, 2020 2:35:35 GMT
I have a house full of stuff. So hard for me to let go. But I always feel better when I donate. So, a cute teacup and saucer, and a Christmas mug. Just received for gifts, but really don’t need. I guess it’s a start. I can just see sleepingbooty taking the lamp for a ride 😊
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,458
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Jan 2, 2020 2:48:33 GMT
I'm going to join you all too. I'm not going to keep count of the items going out, I'm just going to use this thread as a reminder to make a decision on items as I pass them by instead of just shoving them in a cupboard to be dealt with at some undetermined future date, and actually get some stuff out of my house.
I've listed an item on a local for sale site this morning which I've been meaning to do for 12 months. If there is no interest in it by the end of the month I'll just donate it. Put some brand new but not wanted clothing into my donate bag which will be dropped off at my local op shop this weekend, along with the bag that has been sitting in my wardrobe for months.
And inspired by catseatcheese, I'm going to pull out the box of mystery cords my husband brought into the house when we moved in together that, as far as I know, has not been opened since then.
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Post by hop2 on Jan 2, 2020 3:02:32 GMT
I threw out oldish foods from my fridge today. Tomorrow will be the pantry
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Post by Jessica on Jan 2, 2020 5:25:37 GMT
I'm joining in too! Thanks sleepingbooty! Now I wish I hadn't cleaned out the pantry yesterday, lol. As I've been putting Christmas decorations away I've been trying to actively go through them and I gave myself permission to donate the items that I haven't put out for a few years. That sure feels good. Hopefully this will get momentum started for me. Good luck to everyone!
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ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,037
Location: Valley of the Sun
Jul 26, 2014 21:02:07 GMT
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Jan 2, 2020 5:36:03 GMT
Can I keep a running summary here and just keep updating my post? My focus is going to be my craft room—getting the clutter and excess out of my closet and off of my desks/tables.
Day 1: I got rid of a stack of 6-7 duplicate stamps. I gave them to my mom to take home to a family friend who likes to stamp cards. Since it was one small pile, I’m counting it as one item. Tomorrow, I hope to go through and shred a bunch of paper that has followed me around for a couple moves and always ends up in my craft space. The box takes up room under my sewing table currently.
Day 2: not quite what I had planned, but it works. I temporarily deactivated my Facebook account and I went through my emails and unsubscribed from many many emails I was getting—including scrap/paper crafts, quilting, and clothing stores. I unsubscribed from a lot of emails. I figured with the email unsubscribe and Facebook deactivation, that counts as two for today.
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Post by anniefb on Jan 2, 2020 7:31:01 GMT
I’ve sorted out a plastic chair to go to the op shop when it opens. Since it’s already 2 January evening here have also got 2 baskets to go with it.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jan 2, 2020 13:21:56 GMT
I replaced a broken battery in something. I also got rid of a bag full of hats and scarves. Technically it’s sitting in my car to donate but I will drop it off tomorrow. I’m also getting rid of a flower painting I never really liked. I’m hungover. That’s probably all you are getting today 🤣 For a hungover person, you did really good! I'd have been surprised had I remembered there was a declutter challenge on a hangover day... I went through an entire box that contained "cords of the unknown" (I KNOW you all have a box, bin, bag, or drawer with this too!). I threw out all of the cords that had no reason for living anymore and found my way through the spiderweb of others to neatly roll all remaining and secure with a bit of old and not fashionable washi tape. OH NO, not the box of doom! I cringe and pretend I didn't see it when I stumble on some old cables that have been stuffed away years ago... "Nope, not today, Satan." Kudos to you for working through it and actually figuring out what's needed, what's a lost cause and then make good use of old washi. Totally stealing the washi tape idea for cords in the future! The three lamps that I put out were not at all vintage. They were like the 10 euro ones from IKEA. They do not put out much light and to me they look like something you would only use in a kids room. I think it is great you re-used an item! Definitely no need to hang on to stuff that isn't fulfilling its function properly. You did good getting rid of those unnecessary, dim lights. I'm one of those folks who'll put up their coat to create a dark dome over table lamps when shopping for a new one. Ok I’m in. The house is definitely in need of a declutter. What has the house been up to?... Welcome aboard, anniefb! I have a house full of stuff. So hard for me to let go. But I always feel better when I donate. So glad you have positive feelings after donating stuff, ss. Always a good sign even if you are struggling to let go. I hope you can ease yourself into the challenge so it becomes less difficult over time... I can just see sleepingbooty taking the lamp for a ride 😊 I literally whispered "Pivot, pivot, pivot, pivoooot!" at my SO as we were loading the lamp on the second bus. We were stood there, trying hard to suppress giggles, with this beast of a lamp stuck at the turn of the little ticket/pass beep machine pole thingy. It was ridiculously funny. I've listed an item on a local for sale site this morning which I've been meaning to do for 12 months. If there is no interest in it by the end of the month I'll just donate it. Great idea, Chinagirl828. It's so much better to set yourself clear limits otherwise you risk keeping stuff for months, if not years. I hope you can find some buyers to get extra pocket money. Always a wonderful way to start the year. I threw out oldish foods from my fridge today. Tomorrow will be the pantry May the pantry gods be with you! Let us know what the longest expired thing you find in there is. As I've been putting Christmas decorations away I've been trying to actively go through them and I gave myself permission to donate the items that I haven't put out for a few years. That sure feels good. Double thumbs up to you for making the most of putting away seasonal décor by using it as an opportunity to declutter. Two birds, one stone. It's really liberating to let yourself let go of things, isn't it? Can I keep a running summary here and just keep updating my post? Absolutely, ComplicatedLady! That's a great idea, actually. I got rid of a stack of 6-7 duplicate stamps. I gave them to my mom to take home to a family friend who likes to stamp cards. Since it was one small pile, I’m counting it as one item. One woman's duplicates is another woman's treasure. Such a lovely way to turn your leftover stuff into a thoughtful gift for a family friend, by the way. It's so nice to see our things go on to live a fulfilling life elsewhere. I’ve sorted out a plastic chair to go to the op shop when it opens. Since it’s already 2 January evening here have also got 2 baskets to go with it. Woohoo, go you! Those are some big items you've gotten rid of in the first days already. I hope the minimalism game is going well for everyone!
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jan 2, 2020 13:54:04 GMT
Just picked my two items for day 2: my old Modern Renaissance eyeshadow palette as I've hit pan on my favourite colours and just received a new one in the Anastasia BH vault for Christmas + an old Naked eyeshadow palette that just never really did it for me.
It was a lazy pick, getting both items from my make-up drawer, but I've already spotted some more stuff that can go in the next few days... I found a pile of English language novels that I have no need for anymore so I'm going to search online to see where there is a English language street library in my city to drop them off!
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Post by ecvnj58 on Jan 2, 2020 14:06:19 GMT
Just picked my two items for day 2: my old Modern Renaissance eyeshadow palette as I've hit pan on my favourite colours and just received a new one in the Anastasia BH vault for Christmas + an old Naked eyeshadow palette that just never really did it for me. It was a lazy pick, getting both items from my make-up drawer, but I've already spotted some more stuff that can go in the next few days... I found a pile of English language novels that I have no need for anymore so I'm going to search online to see where there is a English language street library in my city to drop them off! Congrats on hitting pan on a color. It’s vary hard to do that for me. I’m getting there on a naked palette that I have. Today I’m going to focus on cleaning my cubical and making sure it’s lean should I ever want to just quit my job on a spur of the moment. 🤣
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 23, 2024 22:57:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2020 14:20:35 GMT
I decided to do this too, and the focus is going to be my bathroom closet. It is a train wreck and whenever I sit down to organize it, and declutter it, I feel overwhelmed. So yesterday I threw out a jar of foot scrub that has been in there half used for over 3 years, but was expensive, so I felt it might be "still good". (but I am pretty sure it was not) Well, I don't have it anymore, lol!
Yesterday I threw away a melted face sunscreen stick and an empty lotion bottle I was "saving."
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jan 2, 2020 16:45:42 GMT
I’m in, I need to pick three items as I just read this thread
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jan 2, 2020 18:03:45 GMT
I might be in on this... not sure if I can keep up, but I like the idea someone had of keeping track of the total #. (although getting rid of 465 *things* in one month really sounds like a HUGE number!!) I could probably do this entire thing in my pantry, if I counted 'things' all separately. I have a mountain of unmatched plastic containers & lids, old canned goods, boxes of cereal with a few crumbs in, etc. ETA: I could also do this declutter thing easily at my work, by just getting rid of all the extra/unnecessary papers that I collect at my desk!!
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Post by anniefb on Jan 2, 2020 18:43:38 GMT
ETA: I could also do this declutter thing easily at my work, by just getting rid of all the extra/unnecessary papers that I collect at my desk!! Not at work, but one of the areas I have earmarked to go through is the paper storage in the study. I'm sure there's lots of things there I can either toss or scan to save room.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,146
Jun 26, 2014 5:46:37 GMT
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Post by lindas on Jan 2, 2020 19:41:26 GMT
I was really motivated yesterday. Cut up 5 boxes and put in the recycling can, cleaned out the pantry and finished packing up a bunch of things I had to donate. My total for the day was 30 things out of the house not including the expired stuff from the pantry.
Babysitting my DGS so I'm not getting anything done today.
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Post by hop2 on Jan 2, 2020 21:29:30 GMT
I was really motivated yesterday. Cut up 5 boxes and put in the recycling can, cleaned out the pantry and finished packing up a bunch of things I had to donate. My total for the day was 30 things out of the house not including the expired stuff from the pantry. Babysitting my DGS so I'm not getting anything done today. oh no, I’m counting the pantry stuff individually else I might never make the goal lol. And I’m going to the park to the bbq pit to burn The box of ex’s letters on 1/31 because I have at least 31 of those ( I stopped counting at 31 ) so I’ve already scheduled that for that day. It will bring a significant end to ‘purging’ month don’t you think?
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Post by ecvnj58 on Jan 3, 2020 1:08:23 GMT
Cleaned my cubical today and got rid of Beer cozie Old Xmas card Award paperwork Old notebooks (3) Hat Shoes Shot glass Credit card old employee
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Post by joblackford on Jan 3, 2020 3:05:05 GMT
I’ve been doing some tidying for a little while now, moving some things to the donation pile in the basement. The bread maker which I used religiously until I didn’t. I faced up to reality and expect that someone will be thrilled to have it. If I decide to start making bread I’ll learn to do it by hand (I’ve been watching a lot of Jenna Fischer bread making on IG). I also set aside the green t-shirt with the weirdly deep v-neck, the souvenir bowl that my friend brought me from India just before her husband blew up their marriage (bad associations), half of my earrings, a coat that’s way too big, a jacket that’s faded that I don’t love any more, and some extra tea cups and pillowcases. Tossed a worn out belt and made a recycle bag for some random FitBit dongles and extra cords. I’ve been working on my craft corner and I’ve piled all the things I need to get out of the space in a laundry basket for re-homing/re-use. It’s mostly boxes and containers. I like to be frugal and re-use things, store things in old film canisters or berry boxes rather than buying specialty storage items, but I also need to keep that accumulation under control. Most of it doesn’t need to be in my workspace, and some of it needs to go bye-bye - even if it’s the theoretically *perfect* box. Also, big project - I’m decluttering my morning page journals. They’re brain dumps/processing space, so in some ways they’ve already served their purpose, but I don’t have it in me just to toss them. So I’m digitizing them by dictating them into my Day One journal - CRINGE! But it’s also quite interesting, revisiting thoughts and events from 10 years ago! Quite the way to mark the decade. I’ve dictated one so far, and taken a photo of the first page to attach to the entry, and now I’m ready to shred it. It’s a slow process because I do it before my husband gets up in the morning. And also, I have a shocking mixed up accent that iOS has fun creatively converting to American English. Lol. I’m giving myself a complex! Anyway, I’ll see if I can join in with the game. The counting aspect has never really resonated with me, but I’m keen to declutter right now so -shrug- I’ll try
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Post by joblackford on Jan 3, 2020 3:05:54 GMT
Does throwing out one’s back count? 🤦🏻♀️ Oh no!! Are you ok?
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joyfulnana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,810
May 28, 2017 23:43:26 GMT
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Post by joyfulnana on Jan 3, 2020 4:03:20 GMT
Day 1 and 2 are finished! Yesterday it was a paper pad, some old chipboard alphas, a book, coffee mugs, extra wine glasses and other miscellaneous things that went to the trash. My donate box is still inside so technically I didn't complete day one, but it will get donated and out of here this weekend. Day 2 I followed @sleepinbooty's lead and threw out old makeup, combs, hair ties, and papers that I've held on to for who knows what reason, things from the pantry. It's been a pretty random declutter so far, with no clear focus. Tomorrow I'm going to focus on the kitchen - omg the junk drawer alone probably has the total for the month that needs to go lol. I know I'm procrastinating my scrap space so that is going to be next. @lilacgirl I hope you're back is ok! joblackford I write morning pages in fits and starts. I shredded 5 binders worth a couple years ago. It was interesting to read bits of them, kudos to you for recording them! I am not that brave lol. I actually started writing them again yesterday, which I tend to do at the start of a new year. I'm loving this challenge so far, thanks sleepingbooty for starting it!
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jan 3, 2020 5:02:36 GMT
I might be in on this... not sure if I can keep up, but I like the idea someone had of keeping track of the total #. (although getting rid of 465 *things* in one month really sounds like a HUGE number!!) I could probably do this entire thing in my pantry, if I counted 'things' all separately. I have a mountain of unmatched plastic containers & lids, old canned goods, boxes of cereal with a few crumbs in, etc.
ETA: I could also do this declutter thing easily at my work, by just getting rid of all the extra/unnecessary papers that I collect at my desk!! This... might be my plan for later in the month. For Day 2, I tossed two hair implements from the bathroom: an old brush I've had for a while (why didn't I throw it out when I bought three new ones?) and a curling iron that worked okay but always snagged and pulled my hair, like there was a microscopic nick in the coating or something. That I kept for much longer than I should have because my sister bought for me for Christmas one year.
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Post by ss on Jan 3, 2020 12:40:01 GMT
I did pretty well yesterday.
Liquor bottles (after the sniff, and/or a mini taste test lol) Glass vase Uncle Don's leather coat DS college notes/old Lacrosse magazines Decorative scissors in a rack for my friends grandkids! Happy to find a home for this! Kids books (bringing in for a friend at work)
That will take me thru today, and will be at it tomorrow again.
Thanks for the encouragement!
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Post by hop2 on Jan 3, 2020 13:53:35 GMT
Oh goodness I’ve only lived there15 months and there were things ( olives ) expired 12 months ago in that pantry.
Including a banana bread my niece bought that expired in October
So 12 things were thrown out from my pantry
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