styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,866
Member is Online
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Jan 3, 2018 15:23:23 GMT
So, yesterday, I slacked a little ... But I made up for it this morning by cleaning off the counter by my bathroom sink. TONS of paperwork/receipts (not sure WHY I pile it there ... I think I take it out of my pockets there every day).
There were some clothes, lots of paper, tons of toiletries and lots of hair and dirt at the bottom of the pile!!!
I was thinking, "WHY IS THIS OK FOR ME?!?" If I went in to a hotel room like that I would throw up!
So, The counter is cleared off, everything put away and it is soaking in bleach soft scrub (it's tile).
It echoes in the bathroom now. It is refreshing and motivating to keep going!
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Post by joylynaroundthebnd on Jan 3, 2018 15:29:23 GMT
There is a local online auction company (League City, Texas). I started using them last year and love it. If an item does not sell, they donate it to local resale shops benefiting local charities. For me it is a win/win. Between my mom and I, we have made about $260. Wow, this sounds great! How did you find them? Word of mouth and online.
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Post by freecharlie on Jan 3, 2018 16:09:33 GMT
9th is sleeping and I didnt get the bedroom clean, so ibwill finish that tonight.
Today, I am going to tackle the front/spare/dog room and all the paperwork in there.
Wish me luck.
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Post by freecharlie on Jan 3, 2018 16:49:54 GMT
For my shame:
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 3, 2018 17:12:18 GMT
freecharlie It's obvious the cat left his office a mess!
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,417
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
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Post by milocat on Jan 3, 2018 17:15:23 GMT
I'm pretty happy with my main floor, but of course it's always a work in progress and maintenance is heavily needed, which I'm going to go through and do again. The basement bomb....well if I get back on the treadmill that I didn't do at all last year that will help because I can't stand being down there and it being cluttered up. I have a bedroom that is our office, so I just go in there and work and don't see the rest of the basement mess, not that it's not untidy also it's just not junky. Last year I got the storage room totally cleaned out. It's so big and wonderful but it's too big and too much stuff fits so you just keep putting more stuff in there and can't find anything on the shelves and don't know what you have. The cleaned out stuff is sitting in a pile in the living room area. Clothes are also in a donation pile. I just need a few trips to the city (an hour away) to a Goodwill or something.
My main focus is my scrapbook/craft area. I haven't scrapbooked in a few years and it's just messy and piled up. I want to get rid of 70% of the stuff. I do want to keep some stuff because I am a crafty person at heart and do think some of the supplies and tools will come in handy forever. I want to have less so I could occasionally do something down there. Now there is so much stuff you can't find anything or even a flat surface to work on. I want my basement to be able to be 'company ready'
A few decluttering tips and reminders: >The thing I took from listening to Marie Kondo's book wasn't the spark joy thing. She talked about when she was a kid and she came from school and cleaned a bathroom drawer, then the next day cleaned the next drawer. It seemed like she was cleaning the same drawer, some of the same things were in there. That's why she wants you to pick a category like clothes, books, papers, and gather ALL of that item from every area of your house and put it in a pile. So you can see how many books you really have, versus how many books you have in that one shelf. That made a lot of sense to me, it's a much bigger project this way though. >Peter Walsh said if you are really having a hard time with something you can put it in a box and put today's date on it and a date in the future and if you don't go into that box in "xx" weeks/months then you really don't use that thing so get rid of it. >Keep reminding yourself you've already paid for it and the money is gone and spent and wasted so keeping it doesn't make it more valuable it is just weighing you down.
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Post by lexilu on Jan 3, 2018 18:09:11 GMT
I'm in. I need to be in. I'm overwhelmed by clutter and it stresses me out. And I get even more stressed out trying to figure out the best way to go through it and get rid of it. I have too much stuff and it is NOT making me happy. I need to drive that lesson home. Less will be more for me in 2018. I need cheerleaders to remind me, so here I am. I'm in. I'm overwhelmed by clutter and it's stressing me out. My 1st goal is my bedroom .... too much paperwork and clothes. I need to shred a LOT of papers and reorganize my desk. I also need to go through my closet and drawers. Amvets is coming Jan. 12 so hopefully I can donate two bags of clothes. 2nd goal is garage .... where I put a lot of clutter when cleaning for Christmas Eve 3rd goal is laundry room 4th goal is kitchen
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Post by #notLauren on Jan 3, 2018 18:39:42 GMT
How many pots and pans does a family of two that cooks 2-3 times a week realistically need?
I have too many. I know that. But I'm scared to get rid of any.
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Post by Linda on Jan 3, 2018 19:25:45 GMT
#notLauren - we're a family of 4 and I cook every night. I have 2 stockpots, a biggish pot, a double-boiler (that separates into 2 pots), and a small saucepan plus a skillet and 2 frying pans (small and large) in regular rotation. I should probably get rid of one of the stockpots now I'm thinking about it - I'll go add it to the donation bin. Everything else is used multiple times a week except the skillet (but when I need it, I need it) and the little saucepan (which I mostly use for making gravy)
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Post by susancinpa on Jan 3, 2018 19:49:54 GMT
I am on a mission to use up things.
I keep a donate bag/box going at all times so that when I come across stuff that is no longer needed/wanted it can go right into it instead of being mixed in with our usable belongings.
I also have a system for most of my clothing that when I wear something, it goes to the "back of the line" and I pull from the front. When I find myself intentionally skipping over something repeatedly, it goes in the donate box. I need a better system for the clothes that don't get hung up though.
The one area (excluding scrap supplies) that I have too much of is shampoo/conditioner. I have been very good at not buying more and the stuff that I don't care for, I am putting out for DH to use or use for shaving (conditioner since he doesn't use it).
I really need to find a way to store my scrapbook albums. I would love a couple sturdy shelves on the living room walls, but DH doesn't. I manage to fill about 2 albums or so a year, so this is becoming a bit of an issue.
The computer/scrap room is the biggest clutter area that needs tackled. I love most of what I have, so I want to use it, not purge it. I only get to 3 retreats/year and really need to start scrapping at home in order to make a dent in the stash. Of course this would add to my album storage problem. My goal is to get everything to fit into the closet and cupboards and not be stacked on the floor.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 19, 2024 1:20:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2018 19:57:55 GMT
My plan is to go through the pantry and make sure everything is up to date --get rid of outdated cans of stuff. I've already started. I'll do one shelf (or 1/2 shelf) a week until it's all current. I also have some in the garage that I already went through and got rid of the outdated cans of stuff. (not much out there, so not much to go through!)
I've already purged my scrapbook room enough. I purge clothes as we change over for seasons. I have a "few" kitchen cupboards to go through--most are ok just the way they are. 4 drawers need purging in the kitchen. 2 of the upper cupboards, and the one under the sink can be sorted out! I have cleaning materials under there that I haven't used in years!! Might as well get rid of them. I've found things I like better.
The bathroom cupboards both need to be gone through--and the towels can be purged!! I might have ordered some new ones!
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Post by dewryce on Jan 3, 2018 20:06:35 GMT
I am on a mission to use up things. I keep a donate bag/box going at all times so that when I come across stuff that is no longer needed/wanted it can go right into it instead of being mixed in with our usable belongings. I also have a system for most of my clothing that when I wear something, it goes to the "back of the line" and I pull from the front. When I find myself intentionally skipping over something repeatedly, it goes in the donate box. I need a better system for the clothes that don't get hung up though. The one area (excluding scrap supplies) that I have too much of is shampoo/conditioner. I have been very good at not buying more and the stuff that I don't care for, I am putting out for DH to use or use for shaving (conditioner since he doesn't use it? We have a permanent donation box going too, it helps to have a good place to put something when you're making that snap decision to get rid of it. Otherwise, I found the decision would just be put off until another time. For your clothes that don't get hung up, are they folded and stacked? You could just add things to the bottom of the stack, same principle.
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Post by dewryce on Jan 3, 2018 20:10:38 GMT
How many pots and pans does a family of two that cooks 2-3 times a week realistically need? I have too many. I know that. But I'm scared to get rid of any. Try putting them all in boxes and getting them out as you need them. Give yourself a time frame. Before you donate, make sure and consider those not often used but needed specialty items. For some, that's a double boiler, for us it's a small ruined pan my mom cooks tortillas in when we make egg enchiladas a few times a year. Consider storing the items you decide to keep but infrequently use in a more out of the way place and save the good, easy to reach real estate in your kitchen for often used items.
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Post by #notLauren on Jan 3, 2018 20:12:50 GMT
#notLauren - we're a family of 4 and I cook every night. I have 2 stockpots, a biggish pot, a double-boiler (that separates into 2 pots), and a small saucepan plus a skillet and 2 frying pans (small and large) in regular rotation. I should probably get rid of one of the stockpots now I'm thinking about it - I'll go add it to the donation bin. Everything else is used multiple times a week except the skillet (but when I need it, I need it) and the little saucepan (which I mostly use for making gravy) what is the difference between a skillet and a frying pan?
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Post by dewryce on Jan 3, 2018 20:25:54 GMT
A few decluttering tips and reminders: >The thing I took from listening to Marie Kondo's book wasn't the spark joy thing. She talked about when she was a kid and she came from school and cleaned a bathroom drawer, then the next day cleaned the next drawer. It seemed like she was cleaning the same drawer, some of the same things were in there. That's why she wants you to pick a category like clothes, books, papers, and gather ALL of that item from every area of your house and put it in a pile. So you can see how many books you really have, versus how many books you have in that one shelf. That made a lot of sense to me, it's a much bigger project this way though. >Peter Walsh said if you are really having a hard time with something you can put it in a box and put today's date on it and a date in the future and if you don't go into that box in "xx" weeks/months then you really don't use that thing so get rid of it. >Keep reminding yourself you've already paid for it and the money is gone and spent and wasted so keeping it doesn't make it more valuable it is just weighing you down. First, I am so jealous you have a real storage room. This would be life changing for us. I agree with Marie in a few ways about gathering all of one item; it absolutely makes it easier to purge, reorganize and store when you have all of the available items in front of you. But I think, for a lot of people, the need to do this just adds to the feeling of being overwhelmed and not being able to start. A lot like perfectionism. It's so much easier to say you will work on one small area, spend a short amount of time, etc. Less pressure than thinking you have to go through every room and find all of the hidden books, paperwork, music, etc. before you can even start making any decisions. Love Peter! I am really good about reminding myself and others about the money already being spent. It's the knowing that if I just spent the effort I could make money off of some items instead of just donating them.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 3, 2018 20:33:39 GMT
>Keep reminding yourself you've already paid for it and the money is gone and spent and wasted so keeping it doesn't make it more valuable it is just weighing you down. That is key for many people. The guilt over what they spent for the items in the first place keeps them from getting rid of the items. In that situation, it's probably better to just "rid the bandaid" off and get it over with.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,866
Member is Online
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Jan 3, 2018 21:22:29 GMT
>Keep reminding yourself you've already paid for it and the money is gone and spent and wasted so keeping it doesn't make it more valuable it is just weighing you down. That is key for many people. The guilt over what they spent for the items in the first place keeps them from getting rid of the items. In that situation, it's probably better to just "rid the bandaid" off and get it over with. milocat & Spongemom Scrappants - This is SO true and holds me back!!! UGH. I need to forgive myself for mistakes and LET IT GO!!!
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 3, 2018 21:52:30 GMT
#notLauren - we're a family of 4 and I cook every night. I have 2 stockpots, a biggish pot, a double-boiler (that separates into 2 pots), and a small saucepan plus a skillet and 2 frying pans (small and large) in regular rotation. I should probably get rid of one of the stockpots now I'm thinking about it - I'll go add it to the donation bin. Everything else is used multiple times a week except the skillet (but when I need it, I need it) and the little saucepan (which I mostly use for making gravy) what is the difference between a skillet and a frying pan? A frying pan has straight sides, while a skillet has sides that flare out. They can usually be used interchangeably. I've always heard both terms used interchangeably as well. My granny called is a skillet, no matter what the sides looked like. Frying Pan vs Skillet
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Post by Linda on Jan 3, 2018 21:52:43 GMT
what is the difference between a skillet and a frying pan? my frying pans have sloped sides and are a little shallower than my skillet which has straight sides and a lid.
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Post by Linda on Jan 3, 2018 21:53:55 GMT
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 3, 2018 22:40:46 GMT
See? Everyone calls them whatever they want - and they both work just fine! I call them all a frying pan, even though I have several of each (lots of cast iron), then add in the chicken fryer and it get complicated quick. So they are all just frying pans in our house!
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Post by #notLauren on Jan 3, 2018 22:54:26 GMT
Well that made it easier. I have an electric "skillet" so I probably only need two fry pans.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jan 4, 2018 1:15:39 GMT
I did this today. It's not super impressive or anything but it has been bugging me for a while. This is a big Amazon box and it is being donated tomorrow. DS will have to lift it because it's more than I can carry. Yay!
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 4, 2018 1:52:32 GMT
Today was my first day with everyone back at work. I probably should have been more productive, but waking up to 25 degrees (we don't do 25 well in Houston!) I decided to drink lots of coffee this morning and catch up on my online world. Did manage to go through a box of sheet music, books and yearbooks. The yearbooks are now in the back of my car to be donated. Some of the sheet music will be listed, but the bulk is going to be donated. The 3 books were put back with the other books that belonged to my Great Aunt, a grade school teacher from the 30's until the late 60's. I have a lot of her books and will be getting rid of some of them, but not until I get the rest of the office under control. Also pulled 2 pair of my pants to be donated. No major accomplishments today, but a little progress is better than none!
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Post by thracian on Jan 4, 2018 3:20:01 GMT
I went through four boxes tonight. All books again. Keeping 1-1/2 boxes and donating 2-1/2.
Total boxes sorted: 6 Total boxes donated: 3-1/2
House is still a mess, but I'm trying to stay focused on doing a little each day.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 19, 2024 1:20:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 5:50:56 GMT
How many kitchen towels and washrags are necessary? I change them at least 2x a day. Can't stand using a dirty one-- but, I have so many towels in the one big drawer in my kitchen, that I really can't close the drawer easily when they are all clean. So, I MAY be going through that drawer--but I don't want to have to go out and buy some if I get rid of too many!!
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Post by tracyarts on Jan 4, 2018 6:27:42 GMT
We took a car load of stuff to a donation center last week. Tonight I listed a bunch of stuff on Facebook marketplace, and this weekend we'll list a bunch more. I'm trying so hard to be ruthless with purging books while packing up our bookshelves but I'm a hard copy book person and letting go is a challenge. I found out that our two large bookshelves aren't really built ins, they were just made to look like it, so we can take them when we move (one less thing to buy now). I need to get rid of as many books as I can bear to part with and then use the empty shelf space for storage boxes to keep other things in.
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Post by katlady on Jan 4, 2018 7:32:21 GMT
I need to tackle the spare/guest bedroom this year. That room has become the dumping ground for things we don’t want in other rooms. All my quilt and scrapping stuff is in there. SO keeps old electronics in there. Truthfully, 80% of the stuff in that room can go and we won’t miss it. But, when I look at and touch the beautiful fabrics, or the pretty scrapbook paper, I cave and keep them. There are also a few bags of documents in that room that need to be shredded. One thing I started doing is before I buy something I ask myself where am I going to store it. That really helps me cut down on buying new clothes and craft supplies.
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Post by tracyarts on Jan 4, 2018 8:04:58 GMT
One thing I started doing is before I buy something I ask myself where am I going to store it. That really helps me cut down on buying new clothes and craft supplies. I've been doing that too. When I want something at the store, I ask myself what will I use it for? How badly do I need it? Do I have something else I can make do with instead? And, where will I store it? I've been watching decluttering youtube videos tonight and fell straight down the rabbit hole. I know I have too much stuff, and have to seriously purge a lot of it before the new house is ready. But, dang, some of the hoards make me uncomfortable to watch. I had to click out, put some chill music on, and type it out here to the Peas, lol. And I don't mean filthy hoards like you see on TV, but clean hoards. Stockpiles of consumables, seasonal items, useful objects, wearables, and supplies. I hated to get rid of stuff because it had use and value and I spent good money on it. But I'm past the point of trying to sell it for any decent amount of money. I'm listing huge lots on marketplace for next to nothing and being happy that I'm getting pennies to the dollar for some of it. The rest can just go to a donation center or into the garbage.
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Post by dewryce on Jan 4, 2018 8:09:37 GMT
I need to tackle the spare/guest bedroom this year. That room has become the dumping ground for things we don’t want in other rooms. All my quilt and scrapping stuff is in there. SO keeps old electronics in there. Truthfully, 80% of the stuff in that room can go and we won’t miss it. But, when I look at and touch the beautiful fabrics, or the pretty scrapbook paper, I cave and keep them. There are also a few bags of documents in that room that need to be shredded. One thing I started doing is before I buy something I ask myself where am I going to store it. That really helps me cut down on buying new clothes and craft supplies. One tip I read was to have read is to have a helper hold things up for you to look at and make a decision, no touch involved. And having had lots to shred before, something that worked for me was putting it next to DH where he watched TV and during the commercials he shredded. So you don't really have to put aside or find a chink of time to do it since you're already sitting there.
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