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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jan 5, 2020 1:05:38 GMT
**GypsyGirl** How big are the plaques & how much do they mean to you? If they are small, I might be tempted to make a shadow box with the plaque, photo of person awarded, & other related memorabilia. If not, I'd probably take good photos and toss. Probably about 9" x 11" at the most, with one being about 6" x 8". As for how much they mean? Zilch. These were for things they did in retirement, long after I was out married and out of the house. Where I get hung up is feeling guilty for getting rid of something that was theirs and meant something to them. Funny how I was able to sail through dismantling the house and basically rip the bandaid off. Now over 3 years later I'm hung up on silly plaques. Grief and guilt strike when you least expect it. Taking photos and tossing is probably the best option. Definitely just take the pic, and toss. Your family wouldn't want to give you a burden. Take the memory and trash the plaque. They got their use of it. You don't need it, don't want it, feel no guilt chucking it.
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pgmamaof3
Junior Member
Posts: 64
Jun 26, 2014 19:24:03 GMT
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Post by pgmamaof3 on Jan 5, 2020 1:39:46 GMT
We're working on the basement again (still!) Going to get a couple bookshelves tomorrow and get the books out of boxes, will go through them at the same time.
Want to organize my craft area as well this month. Working on less is more in the house this year!
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jan 5, 2020 1:45:13 GMT
We're working on the basement again (still!) Going to get a couple bookshelves tomorrow and get the books out of boxes, will go through them at the same time. Want to organize my craft area as well this month. Working on less is more in the house this year! Sounds like you have a good plan! I'm working on less is more this year too. I'm trying to use down what I already have, stop impulse buys, and appreciate what I have.
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 5, 2020 5:38:22 GMT
Two bags of garbage went out last Monday. I plan on working on the basement and scrap stuff in the next few days.
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 5, 2020 5:47:44 GMT
Now to answer the questions!
I haven't bothered making a list. Two areas I'm going to concentrate on first is my scrap area and the unfinished basement. My overall approach for 2020 is taking a gentle approach with everything. Progress not perfection.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jan 5, 2020 16:13:14 GMT
Now to answer the questions!
I haven't bothered making a list. Two areas I'm going to concentrate on first is my scrap area and the unfinished basement. My overall approach for 2020 is taking a gentle approach with everything. Progress not perfection. A gentle approach... I like that! It's so easy for me to feel if I haven't finished a task perfectly, I've completely failed. I like your way better.
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 5, 2020 16:19:30 GMT
A gentle approach... I like that! It's so easy for me to feel if I haven't finished a task perfectly, I've completely failed. I like your way better. Yeah, 2019 was not a great year. I always knew there were many things that were out of my control, but I let them get to me too much for too long. It's not possible for me to have a set routine. That's why I decided to do what I can and that will be enough.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jan 5, 2020 16:21:08 GMT
This morning I pulled a grocery bag full of toddler books that no longer interest my youngest off the bookshelf, and I'll donate them tomorrow.
I put away the Christmas stockings for next year.
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Post by MissBianca on Jan 5, 2020 16:24:41 GMT
I’m trying to get on board but my DH is a shuffler. He just moves crap around from place to place. Like this week he was going to go through his technical books. Going through just meant taking them off the shelf and putting them on the floor. I finally made him get them off the floor but the ended up in the lower cabinet of the same bookshelf. He tossed one whole sleeve of magazines. I’m like the entire stack of magazines could have gone, he had never once looked at them after buying them. When it comes to organizing and purging his ADD really shines through. I had a list in the order it needed to go in, dishes then gutting the pantry (needed counter space) then something else. Every damn time he goes rogue and makes a bigger mess and nothing gets done. He took 2 weeks off to organize and 1 bookshelf got shuffled. In the mean time I’m out every day taking kids to work, school, food shopping, etc
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mlana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,523
Jun 27, 2014 19:58:15 GMT
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Post by mlana on Jan 5, 2020 17:46:54 GMT
January is my month for setting up my files for the new year, both for business and personal. I have to make sure all of 2019’s items are in the files before I move and replace them with empty files for 2020. I created the new files last month, and I did a major sort in Nov, so this shouldn’t be too onerous. I have to do the same thing with my computer files.
I am concentrating on just getting rid of the trash this month. Cardboard boxes, Christmas cards, boxes from Christmas gifts, bags of used wrapping paper - these are pushed into corners while waiting for enough room in the trash to take them out. I’ve been filling up both cans since early December, but the pile seems never-ending.
January is also my favorite month to work in the garden. On cooler days I can get into some of the overgrown spaces with minimum concern for snakes or spiders. I have a ton of honeysuckle that has to come out and be thrown away, not composted. Again, I have to have room in the trash for it. I am also trying to get in touch with my yard folks so they can come lay down new weed fabric and mulch. That;s my gift to me this year.
Marcy
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Post by freecharlie on Jan 5, 2020 18:01:16 GMT
I just cleaned out my inside freezer. There was some meet in there that said use or freeze by 2017. Yup, that went in the trash.
Once dh gets up (its 11 and he is still sleeping). I'll tackle the fridge.
I did the pantry last week.
I made a giant mess in the basement earlier this year. I am paying ods to repack it before he goes back to college.
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Post by ntsf on Jan 5, 2020 21:06:13 GMT
I took two shopping carts of recycling out from my dad's apartment. there is another two grocery bags filled. his desk top is clear for the first time in maybe 5 yrs. I have to do one more round of dealing with papers on his dining table and kitchen counter.. and then I have to catch my flight home. I told him last night that I fly up to be mean to him.. pushing him to get rid of stuff, pushing him to deal with paper problems. I think I will fly up in 7-8 weeks to do another round. he is 93.. lives alone, is sharp.. but also it is exhausting to make decisions and he sleeps in til noon every day. my brother usually comes by once a week.. but he is gone til mid march. I even sewed on a button for my dad. so I feel energized and hoping I can keep the energy up at home. I tackle areas.. then dh piles on his stuff in the area I am trying to clean. but oh well.
some progress made!!!
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Post by MissBianca on Jan 5, 2020 23:54:18 GMT
Attempting to clean my dining room. We will see how it goes. I’m trying to transform this space in a temporary bedroom so DD can have her own room, she currently shares with me and DH, trials and tribulations of 6 people in a 2 bedroom house. My god my kids are pen hoarders!!! I just placed pens, pencils, sharpies and paint brushes in a soda flat, it’s now full and I haven’t even found them all. I need to just tackle this room a little at a time, it’s very overwhelming. But at least you can see the floor in one section. I guess that’s progress.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 6, 2020 0:20:53 GMT
and trying to decide what to do with the personalized award plaques. I don't even want the old ones of mine, much less anyone else's. I jettison that kind of stuff easily. I've worked on moving stuff to the kitchen of the new house this weekend. It's very liberating to go through cabinets and only take out what you 'love' to make the move. I'll deal with what's not making the cut later. I'm also taking this opportunity to make a household inventory for insurance purposes. What better time than when you are literally having to put your hands on everything you own? The son that just married in October had told me he and his bride wanted a set of china. I texted them photos today of three sets for them to choose from. They selected my grandmother's Noritake china. It's a huge set with all the serving platters, bowls, and accessory pieces. I am delighted they want it. Not only can I purge a lot, but it's finding a great home within the family. It will be so sweet to go to their home and eat off that same china that I've eaten off of my whole life. I can't even describe how happy that makes me.
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Post by maryland on Jan 6, 2020 1:32:51 GMT
I bribed the kids to help me with the Christmas stuff in the attic. It took us 7+ hrs. over a couple days, but it's much better! We took every Christmas thing down, went through it, went to several stores to buy big bins, put it back in the attic. We were not in a good mood, but I told them if they want to keep the stuff, they have to help sort, etc. We have a few big bins that have stuff that they don't want to throw out, but we won't use. It's great to have that stuff together, and they stuff we use together.
Now we have the rest of the attic to deal with! But at least this part is good!
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Post by scrappinmom3 on Jan 6, 2020 6:31:15 GMT
Gah. It’s the middle of the night, can’t sleep, and after reading all of your ambitious posts, my anxiety is ramping up. 🤪 Once I figure out what I am going to do, I’ll post my plans!
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theshyone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,400
Jun 26, 2014 12:50:12 GMT
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Post by theshyone on Jan 6, 2020 9:16:32 GMT
I read all last year, but seldom posted. I had made great strides in dining area, the pantry, dd room was totally done.
This month I’m still working on kitchen. I’ve done lots but there is always more.
This year when weather is allowable I need to do the garage, it still has stuff from cleaning out moms. Then I also need to tackle my late sisters storage unit. I hate the thought of this.
I want to start getting paper scrapping stuff out of house. I don’t use it why keep it.
Organization of photos, computers, projects to print.
I like the idea of a bin for my childhood, and one for each of kids. Which bins are best for storage?
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jan 6, 2020 9:50:24 GMT
I read all last year, but seldom posted. I had made great strides in dining area, the pantry, dd room was totally done. This month I’m still working on kitchen. I’ve done lots but there is always more. This year when weather is allowable I need to do the garage, it still has stuff from cleaning out moms. Then I also need to tackle my late sisters storage unit. I hate the thought of this. I want to start getting paper scrapping stuff out of house. I don’t use it why keep it. Organization of photos, computers, projects to print. I like the idea of a bin for my childhood, and one for each of kids. Which bins are best for storage? I like both Rubbermaid & Sterilite with lids. Buy a size that you will be able to lift/carry when it is full, even if that means buying two smaller ones instead of one huge one.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 6, 2020 12:26:20 GMT
after reading all of your ambitious posts, my anxiety is ramping up. There's no competition. Take it all in as ideas and encouragement. We're in it with you. Keep us posted on how you're doing. Which bins are best for storage? I like the ones with the clamp-on lids.
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Post by MissBianca on Jan 6, 2020 13:16:32 GMT
Today’s mission of the day is dishes. I want all the dishes done. Plus my dad has an eye appt in the middle of the day I have to drive him to. That just kills a huge chunk of the day because it’s 45 minutes away.
DS23 is tackling the garage. He has to get his car finished, I’m over it not being done.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 23:56:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2020 13:28:34 GMT
I read all last year, but seldom posted. I had made great strides in dining area, the pantry, dd room was totally done. This month I’m still working on kitchen. I’ve done lots but there is always more. This year when weather is allowable I need to do the garage, it still has stuff from cleaning out moms. Then I also need to tackle my late sisters storage unit. I hate the thought of this. I want to start getting paper scrapping stuff out of house. I don’t use it why keep it. Organization of photos, computers, projects to print. I like the idea of a bin for my childhood, and one for each of kids. Which bins are best for storage? I like both Rubbermaid & Sterilite with lids. Buy a size that you will be able to lift/carry when it is full, even if that means buying two smaller ones instead of one huge one. I like Rubbermaid over Sterilite because the lids are stronger. I stack a lot of bins and it's not good when the lids crack. Make sure you label each bin too, either by kid name or a number tied to a file plan. I would recommend keeping the bins the same size and manufacturer so they are interchangeable and stackable. I prefer matte dark color bins so that light doesn't come through if they're stored somewhere other than a closet. Label on each side so no matter how they're stacked you can identify what's what.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 6, 2020 14:17:20 GMT
Gah. It’s the middle of the night, can’t sleep, and after reading all of your ambitious posts, my anxiety is ramping up. 🤪 Once I figure out what I am going to do, I’ll post my plans! Take your time! It's definitely not a race or competition. We're just here for motivation, ideas, and encouragement! From what I can tell, this is Year #5 for a thread like this...and my guest room is still a disaster! Bit by bit it gets better though. Which bins are best for storage? A couple of years ago I switched to clear bins with clamp on lids like these at Costco. They aren't the largest bins, but much easier for me to handle when full. I have stacked them 6 high and not had an issue. The clear containers allow you to see what is inside. For memorabilia, as well as projects, I like the 12x12 project cases that Costco sells in a bundle of 5. I have 10 of them in my sewing room with a different project in each one. Doing that really made me realize just how many UFO's I had going!
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 6, 2020 17:47:25 GMT
Made some more progress yesterday. The weather was gorgeous so I did a little work in the garage when I put away the Christmas bins. Did a little rearranging and now all my bins are on a shelving unit on wheels. The middle shelf holds cases of water (we are in hurricane country). There are 5 bins on the bottom shelf and I'm confident that I can consolidate that down to 2 or 3 bins, as I saw several things in there that can be donated or trashed. Emptied DD's old camp trunk and used it to store the 4' artificial tree she bought this year. The baby clothes that were in there are now in the guest room. I'll sort through them, donate some and store the rest properly. Also put several boxes and a stack of mailing boxes into the recycling bin, clearing up a couple of shelves on the Elfa unit. Want to clear more of that off this year, mainly DH's old childhood trucks. Will most likely try to sell those. Added an old shoe rack, some holiday decorations and a dog puzzle to the donation pile. Goal for this week is to scan one box of slides, complete one quilt top (blocks done, needs sashing), list some items on eBay, finish organizing/purging medicine cabinets.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jan 6, 2020 22:58:09 GMT
**GypsyGirl** Sounds like you got a lot done! That rolling shelf sounds great! Today I donated two bags to the thrift near me. A bag of books & a bag of toddler toys. Felt good to get them gone.
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dev
Shy Member
Posts: 27
Nov 27, 2014 14:34:39 GMT
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Post by dev on Jan 7, 2020 0:33:17 GMT
I have gathered all the business papers and files for 2019 and have them boxed up for accountant. Labelled files for business and personal stuff for 2020. Shredded a bankers box of pre 2012 tax stuff.
Next is to empty office closet, get rid of what shouldn't be in there and reorganize what should be in there.
Off to a great start!
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Post by MissBianca on Jan 7, 2020 1:16:46 GMT
And I did nothing. Got stuck in town when traffic was backed up due to a potential explosion, ended up being a car crash. Dad wanted food as did kids. Then by the time we got out of the mess I had to get DS18 at work. Finally got home and started to not feel well. Still not well but I’m making dinner at 8:15pm. Needless to say the dishes can wait until tomorrow
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Post by tentoes on Jan 7, 2020 16:09:15 GMT
Yesterday my daughter and I took everything out of the attic. It wasn't a job I had planned to get started on now, but thankfully, it's done. --well, in process, and almost done. Boy, we were both so tired at the end of the day I could hardly move. We still have some things to organize and throw out, but everything is out of the attic. I threw away a huge garbage can full of stuff. I found a couple plastic bags full of things that belong to the visiting daughter, so she's taking them home with her when she leaves. She told me her mixer burned up 2 years ago, so I gave her my big mixer out of the kitchen. Today I think we are going to tackle the scrapbook room--maybe--if she can move. I took advil before bed yesterday, and I feel pretty good! It was a long a grueling day, and so happy it's (almost) finished. We got so tired, we didn't finish putting things away, so we'll do that today.
All in all, it's moving forward. My move will probably take place sometime in July.
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Jan 8, 2020 0:51:05 GMT
Welcome, natscraps. I look forward to getting to know you through your posts.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 8, 2020 1:08:36 GMT
As much stuff as we're moving to the new house, I'm trying to leave as much behind.
I've texted many photos to my boys and their wives who are taking some of the china, table linens, decor, and kitchen items. I've moved all the furniture out of the guest bedroom already so I can make piles in there for what they each are taking. (Two are closing on their first homes this month and so are excited about acquiring things for their new houses.)
I've also been ruthless about tossing stuff. Plus there's a whole huge pile of donation items.
If you need to declutter, I highly recommend moving. It's brutal... but it does force your hand. Lol!
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Jan 8, 2020 3:28:05 GMT
Today was trash pickup. I did fill the trash container to the top like I hoped. The recycling doesn't get picked up until next week and it's already 80% full and it's a huge container. Our city provides containers to each household, for both regular trash and recycling, and they get dumped by the trash truck.
At the beginning of each year, I have to move or box hundreds of thousands, you read that right hundreds of thousands, of files. It takes the better part of a week to get it done. So, I made an executive decision to sit while doing stuff in the house. My aching muscles want no part of bending right now.
I decided to go through the drawers in our vintage oak desk. It's big and can fit a lot of stuff. I recycled 2 plastic grocery bags full of receipts and have 4 paper sandwich bags full of receipts to shred.
I did some mending as well.
Added more stuff to the donation box that's supposed to get donated along with the student desk and giant bear. I need my husband to do it because I don't drive the pickup.
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