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Post by alsomsknit on May 4, 2024 15:11:02 GMT
Daily declutter task from My Simpler Life Declutter Calendar: Sort through one paper pile. Definitely a declutter task I can work on! A couple of days late…My receipts are completely organized. I keep a baggie in the kitchen for the present month. When the month is over, the 2023 will be shredded and the new put in the baggie and placed in the shoebox. Only one month of receipts to have to look through to ensure the FSA receipts aren’t included. Another shoebox of shredding gone, too. I’m thrilled with that progress because it was completely overwhelming when I began facing that problem. |
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Post by alsomsknit on May 4, 2024 15:19:53 GMT
There have been a number of items enter the house: the mixing bowl sets, 2 baskets (One that has already been put into use. The second 🤷🏻♀️. It was something that I wanted when I was into Longaberger, but not available at the time.), and a large bookshelf.
Jay and I put the shelf together last night. Today I am putting the that were in storage on it. Right now, it’s a staging area. What do I want to read? What can be donated?
One of the cats was sick on Jay’s bed last night. So, laundry is happening in a major way.
Still need to order a couple of bags for the Christmas trees. These will be stored where the crates of books had previously resided.
Slow progress. But, happy with the progress.
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Post by dewryce on May 4, 2024 18:00:44 GMT
Daily declutter task from My Simpler Life Declutter Calendar:
Go through 5 file folders.
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Post by cecilia on May 4, 2024 19:18:34 GMT
Went to the farmers market and a couple yard sales.
Mainly bought plants, snacks, and some things to use. wanted to buy one out of books but didn't.
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Post by lg on May 5, 2024 2:31:03 GMT
put all the items on the kitchen bench Am I correct in assuming that your 'kitchen bench' is the equivalent of our 'kitchen island'? Because a bench for us is something low that you sit on, and I was marveling at just how big (and strong) that bench must be to hold all that stuff you got out of the house!  . Great job on getting DD to work with you and get rid of so much! 😂 one of those “lost in translation” Aussie to USA things (like the word thong 🤭) Yes when I say kitchen bench I mean kitchen island - I call it a bench though as I have a u shaped kitchen so it’s not separate from the other benches… hope that makes sense? Anyhoo my behemoth is 4m long x1m wide so when I say it was packed with items and we went through all of them I’m talking about a whole day worth of work 😇 |
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Post by cecilia on May 5, 2024 11:03:45 GMT
Finished watching this batch of films (20), so I need to finish reviews.
Goal is to finish today. Want to do review, do something to organize/clean/declutter. (Like review, then price 1 or two things for market, review, gather one or two things for donation, etc). That way I don't get bogged down with either. Wish me luck (on both).
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 5, 2024 13:20:49 GMT
Go through wrapping paper and ribbon. This is something I have been working on. I've actually never loved wrapping gifts, but had this weird stress about it instead. Worried that if a gift wasn't pretty enough, it meant that I didn't care.
I'm letting that go.
I am working through gift bags that I have amassed (mostly ones that were given to me and I saved because they were in great condition, and didn't want to be wasteful). Same with a stash of tissue paper.
Last Christmas I bought a huge roll of thick, double sided paper. It is solid red on one side, and red patterned on the other. I feel free to use it for non Christmas wrapping too.
After buying it, I realized that I still have two rolls of Christmas specific paper to use. My goal will be to finish those rolls this Christmas. And I will just use multipurpose wraps from now on.
I started buying the double sided rolls of wrap Yes! Love these!
Sort through one paper pile. I need to work on this a bit. They creep up so quickly.
Goal is to finish today. Want to do review, do something to organize/clean/declutter. (Like review, then price 1 or two things for market, review, gather one or two things for donation, etc). That way I don't get bogged down with either. Wish me luck (on both). Good luck!
That sounds like a good process of doing things. And you have been making fantastic progress lately!
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 5, 2024 14:01:23 GMT
I've been giving myself permission to toss things a lot lately.
I tossed a book that I got for free, that I originally thought would be about one thing, but was about another. No guilt reading. Just into the recycling.
I'm giving myself a time limit on another book that I picked up (again, for free) on March 1st, and have only read a few pages in. It seems like it will be a good one, but I just have trouble dedicating myself to sitting and reading it. (I don't know why. I used to be a voracious reader, and absolutely loved reading new books)
After switching out sizes for my kids' school uniforms, I've decided that I need to buy hangers for their closet. Two colors (one for each size uniform/kid). Am I the only one with a mishmash of hangers? I'm so tired of it.
With the school year quickly coming to an end, I'm thinking about things I want to do differently for the new school year. Things to make getting ready, being prepared easier overall. I've been writing down ideas, and hope to implement them over the summer for a smoother next school year in the fall.
I moved gardening tools to the shed & empty pots to the garden toolbox. Dumped four seedlings into the compost after I noticed someone knocked them over from the windowsill area, and just scooped soil & sprouts back into the little cups, without making sure the seedlings were at the top. Oh well. Dumped a potted sage that has come back for three years, but didn't this year, into the compost.
I've been cooking out of the freezer and pantry, to make sure to use those items. I definitely felt like I was starting to make a little pantry hoard of shelf stable foods when I was having trouble finding places to put the cans. Yeah, I used them and can see shelf space again.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 5, 2024 16:42:46 GMT
Is mental clutter a thing?
I just did a bunch of paperwork & bill-related tasks that were stressing me out for the past few days.
Organized papers that need to be referenced (mostly kid medical stuff).
It is relieving to scratch tasks off the list.
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Post by crazy4scraps on May 5, 2024 16:45:19 GMT
Is mental clutter a thing?
I just did a bunch of paperwork & bill-related tasks that were stressing me out for the past few days.
Organized papers that need to be referenced (mostly kid medical stuff).
It is relieving to scratch tasks off the list.
It’s definitely a thing. I find the more cluttered my spaces are, the more cluttered my mind feels. |
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Post by natscraps on May 5, 2024 18:23:56 GMT
Is mental clutter a thing?
I just did a bunch of paperwork & bill-related tasks that were stressing me out for the past few days.
Organized papers that need to be referenced (mostly kid medical stuff).
It is relieving to scratch tasks off the list.
Definitely a thing and I suffer from it on a regular basis. It’s a vicious cycle. Physical clutter makes it worse. Then everything gets so overwhelming you just get paralyzed and can’t seem to accomplish anything so it adds more mental clutter, etc. I’ve been working hard the past month and a half to break the cycle. Some days are easier than others. Today is not one of them. |
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Post by lg on May 6, 2024 2:07:14 GMT
Some small wins today:
1. Labelled my new laundry and bathroom storage - looks great!
2. Went through gift bags - decided to donate anything “gendered” and condensed the Christmas specific section so it all fits in one lidded box (dd mainly gives gifts/gift cards that come with their own branded store bags now so don’t need any for her friends, ds not invited to a lot of parties and I’ve started giving his friends gift cards for experiences too so don’t need gift bags for him either.) Kept some Kraft and white bags for gifts I may give during the year (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day etc) and the rest are going to the markets along with two rolls of decorative duct tape I’ll never use
3. Pulled out all the old (think crunchy elastic!) underwear from dh drawer onto the bed to take a look at with him when he gets home from work today.
I think that’ll do me for today as I’m not feeling it and the weather demands I stay in bed and read 🤭
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760 
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Post by mich5481 on May 6, 2024 2:23:13 GMT
I've been working my way though some of my clothes. For a bunch, I'll wear them for the day, and see how I feel. I've washed several items and then put then straight in the donate pile afterwards.
If you remember my church clothing swap, I grabbed 3 pairs of jeans, a pair of pajamas, a sweater, and a knit top. I tried on all 3 jeans and decided 1 was a no go, so it went straight to the donate pile - same thing with the sweater. I washed the other 2 pairs of jeans and need to wear them for a day to see if they are keepers. The knit top wasn't quite cutting it for me, but my mom claimed it. I wore the pajamas, but decided I didn't like how the pants had no pockets and the shirt wasn't very comfortable while I slept, so they are in the donate pile.
I realized I don't need to buy any more Target branded pajamas (both the regular and the Christmas ones). They don't have pants pockets, and I'm realizing that is a priority for me. 🤣
I put a green zip up vest in the donate pile tonight when I tried it on today. I realized I've lost 40+ pounds from when I bought it in October.
I'm about halfway through a book tonight. Once I finish it, I can add it and the other 2 books in the trilogy to my pile to take to church. I hope someone there enjoys my Christian fiction books! (I leave them in the Fellowship hall so someone else can enjoy them).
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Post by alsomsknit on May 6, 2024 3:04:34 GMT
Yesterday’s sorting/decluttering netted 1 of 4 crates to be donated. Still one set of books left in a crate, because I wanted to pull books from elsewhere.
A handful of baby clothes to toss and another to donate. Need to check the elastic in the ones that are in fantastic condition.
Another trash can of shredding gone, too. Not sure what all was tossed in the laundry room trash. DH took it all away this afternoon.
Today my body allowed no more than a bit of laundry.
A big goal is to empty the mudroom. The Beast needs a more secure, roomier space, to keep him safe and out of mischief when he is left at home alone. At present, the x-pen is still tall enough. It wouldn’t hold up if he were determined though.
House garage needs to be sorted. The styrofoam needs to be broken/cut down for times when there is a little extra room in the trash bag.
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Post by lg on May 6, 2024 3:57:15 GMT
I lied peas I did a little more as I had Dana k white reruns playing on the tv and they always give me mojo to keep going:
1. Went though the baking tub, will donate some items (not going to bother to make cake pops for the kids birthdays now, much easier to just buy a cake and decorate with lollies instead!)
2. Relocated birthday candles into the baking tub now there’s more space (why were they stored in another cupboard where I would never look for them???)
3. Tossed out a broken spice container and replaced with a spare (why keep the one taped together at the bottom when I literally have three others that are brand new and not being used?)
4. Cleared out misc cabinet and got rid of yoghurt maker (don’t eat enough yoghurt now kids are older to make such a big batch every week), promo thermos (never used!) and a piece of pottery I don’t display any more either. Reorganised the cupboard so Christmas items together etc.
5. Washed 3x dd pencil cases - hoping to talk her into donating them as she still has another FOUR which is ridiculous as all her work is pretty much online 😂
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Post by dewryce on May 6, 2024 10:30:54 GMT
Daily declutter task from My Simpler Life Declutter Calendar:
Create rags from old kitchen towels and pot holders.
The life cycle of our kitchen towels is to be pretty, dry clean hands only towels. Then they get moved to the daily ones DH uses over his shoulder while cooking. Once they’re past that stage I give them a fast, painless death and toss them. I don’t like having rags because all the jagged edges and loose threads bother me!
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Post by mikklynn on May 6, 2024 15:11:46 GMT
LavenderLayoutLady I'm with you, I hate a mishmash of hangers. I recently replaced all the hangers in my closet so they all match. Old ones went in the guest room or trash, no guilt! And, yes, mental clutter is definitely a thing. I always feel lighter when I accomplish a task I've put off, so I can get it out of my head. I have a box of funeral cards, etc for my late DH's family that I thought I may use to do a small geneology project. Yeah, that's not happening. My kids don't want it. They are not close to his extended family. I'm going to go through it and put some of it in an envelope for my SIL. The rest is going in the recycling.
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Post by dewryce on May 7, 2024 21:31:26 GMT
Daily declutter task from My Simpler Life Declutter Calendar:
If you don’t have room for all of your glasses give away some.
I purchased our glasses in bulk from a restaurant supply store ages ago, and we got rid of all of our other glasses. Now, the only other drinkware we have is a handful of coffee cups, our Yetis, and his biking water bottles. It’s really calming to me when everything lines up neatly and doesn’t have to be stacked. And I want to keep these for a long time so I purchased a lot of extra to replace broken ones. So we keep a reasonable amount in our glass front cabinets so they’re not crowded and we keep the rest with our extra plates and bowls in “storage” above the vent hood. I am really liking having less inventory in our main cabinets, lots of breathing room! So if something breaks or we have a lot of company we can manage it easily, but it’s not taking up visual or physical space in our everyday lives. I highly recommend it!
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760
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Post by mich5481 on May 7, 2024 22:07:30 GMT
I'm continuing my purge of clothes that are too big, and I'm wondering if anyone else feels sadness when they go through this process? I found a thick down coat that I'm pretty sure I wore to a presidential inauguration (many) years ago that is far too big. It's good quality and super warm (I needed it, standing outside for hours in DC in January!), and I doubt I'll find one as nice to replace it.
I also feel sad, wondering how things might have been if I lost (and kept off) all of this weight when I was younger. I know I can't change the past, and I just need to make the optimal decisions for the future, but I still can't help but wonder, what if?
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Post by crazy4scraps on May 7, 2024 22:23:08 GMT
I'm continuing my purge of clothes that are too big, and I'm wondering if anyone else feels sadness when they go through this process? I found a thick down coat that I'm pretty sure I wore to a presidential inauguration (many) years ago that is far too big. It's good quality and super warm (I needed it, standing outside for hours in DC in January!), and I doubt I'll find one as nice to replace it. I also feel sad, wondering how things might have been if I lost (and kept off) all of this weight when I was younger. I know I can't change the past, and I just need to make the optimal decisions for the future, but I still can't help but wonder, what if? I donate our nicer used clothing to a charity that gives the stuff away to people in need for free vs. donating it to a place like Goodwill or Salvation Army that sells it (even if they sell it cheap). The place I donate to has it all set up like a little store, and the people who need the clothing can come in and “shop” for the items, picking out the things they like for their family. Doing it that way helps lessen some of those kinds of feelings, in my case it’s more the thought of “I wasted money on this and didn’t use it/wear it/etc.” because I know someone who really needs it but can’t afford it will get it. |
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Post by natscraps on May 7, 2024 23:06:13 GMT
Finally got through the rest of mine and all of DS’ clothes. I plan to make another pass through the bottoms and only keep my favorites in the next size down. I pulled all of my favorite shirts that are a size too small off the hangers and stored them in a bin in the spare bedroom closet. Freed up a lot of space for things that do fit. DS didn’t have as much to get rid of. Mostly pajamas that are so worn I just tossed them.
Today I returned all the things that needed to be returned to stores. That meant a trip to Kohls for Amazon returns so I was able to grab a few new pairs of summer bottoms. Last week’s bottoms declutter revealed that I only had 2 pairs of bottoms that fit.
I have the day off tomorrow as I’m staying home with a sick DS so we’ll see if I can through something else.
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760
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Post by mich5481 on May 7, 2024 23:33:56 GMT
I'm continuing my purge of clothes that are too big, and I'm wondering if anyone else feels sadness when they go through this process? I found a thick down coat that I'm pretty sure I wore to a presidential inauguration (many) years ago that is far too big. It's good quality and super warm (I needed it, standing outside for hours in DC in January!), and I doubt I'll find one as nice to replace it. I also feel sad, wondering how things might have been if I lost (and kept off) all of this weight when I was younger. I know I can't change the past, and I just need to make the optimal decisions for the future, but I still can't help but wonder, what if? I donate our nicer used clothing to a charity that gives the stuff away to people in need for free vs. donating it to a place like Goodwill or Salvation Army that sells it (even if they sell it cheap). The place I donate to has it all set up like a little store, and the people who need the clothing can come in and “shop” for the items, picking out the things they like for their family. Doing it that way helps lessen some of those kinds of feelings, in my case it’s more the thought of “I wasted money on this and didn’t use it/wear it/etc.” because I know someone who really needs it but can’t afford it will get it. My church accepted coats last year for a warm winter clothing drive for a street ministry, but I don't know that I want to hold onto things for that long. Although, this coat does have a hood, and I don't know where it is, so I may hold off on donating it until I can find the hood to go with it. 🤔 Another area church has a weekly clothes closet, so I may donate the clothes to them. There is also a local organization that works with women trying to find jobs, so I may reach out to them as well. I know in the past they've especially needed stuff for larger sizes. |
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Post by callmenutz on May 8, 2024 1:26:47 GMT
My decluttering came to a screeching halt when I was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia on December 13. That has led to three hospitalizations, one a month long. That led to diverticulitis and surgery to remove the infected part and I now have an Ostomy bag. Four days later I had a mild heart attack. I’m home on IV antibiotics for an infection that won’t go away. Chemo is on hold and I’m terrified.
PLEASE pray for me!
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Post by crazy4scraps on May 8, 2024 2:53:02 GMT
My decluttering came to a screeching halt when I was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia on December 13. That has led to three hospitalizations, one a month long. That led to diverticulitis and surgery to remove the infected part and I now have an Ostomy bag. Four days later I had a mild heart attack. I’m home on IV antibiotics for an infection that won’t go away. Chemo is on hold and I’m terrified. PLEASE pray for me! Keeping you in my thoughts! I didn’t want to like your post because that’s just awful.  Sending healing wishes your way. |
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760
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Post by mich5481 on May 8, 2024 3:07:49 GMT
My decluttering came to a screeching halt when I was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia on December 13. That has led to three hospitalizations, one a month long. That led to diverticulitis and surgery to remove the infected part and I now have an Ostomy bag. Four days later I had a mild heart attack. I’m home on IV antibiotics for an infection that won’t go away. Chemo is on hold and I’m terrified. PLEASE pray for me! I'm so sorry to read this update - praying for your healing and for wisdom for your medical team! ❤️ |
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Post by alsomsknit on May 8, 2024 12:15:17 GMT
My decluttering came to a screeching halt when I was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia on December 13. That has led to three hospitalizations, one a month long. That led to diverticulitis and surgery to remove the infected part and I now have an Ostomy bag. Four days later I had a mild heart attack. I’m home on IV antibiotics for an infection that won’t go away. Chemo is on hold and I’m terrified. PLEASE pray for me! Keeping you in my thoughts and sending ((((Hugs)))). |
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Post by natscraps on May 8, 2024 13:50:03 GMT
My decluttering came to a screeching halt when I was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia on December 13. That has led to three hospitalizations, one a month long. That led to diverticulitis and surgery to remove the infected part and I now have an Ostomy bag. Four days later I had a mild heart attack. I’m home on IV antibiotics for an infection that won’t go away. Chemo is on hold and I’m terrified. PLEASE pray for me! Prayers for healing being said. |
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Post by ntsf on May 8, 2024 15:00:59 GMT
I have a huge pile of clothing that doesn't fit.. much new or in great shape. my dd is visiting and fortunately she is taking a lot with her.
spent the weekend cleaning out mother in law's house. scored some beautiful quilted vests/jackets. took massive piles to donate and a car full to the dump. more to go.
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Post by Linda on May 8, 2024 15:59:17 GMT
My decluttering came to a screeching halt when I was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia on December 13. That has led to three hospitalizations, one a month long. That led to diverticulitis and surgery to remove the infected part and I now have an Ostomy bag. Four days later I had a mild heart attack. I’m home on IV antibiotics for an infection that won’t go away. Chemo is on hold and I’m terrified. PLEASE pray for me! (((Hugs))) and prayers. I'm so sorry that you're dealing with so very much. |
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Post by mikklynn on May 8, 2024 20:24:12 GMT
My decluttering came to a screeching halt when I was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia on December 13. That has led to three hospitalizations, one a month long. That led to diverticulitis and surgery to remove the infected part and I now have an Ostomy bag. Four days later I had a mild heart attack. I’m home on IV antibiotics for an infection that won’t go away. Chemo is on hold and I’m terrified. PLEASE pray for me! I'm praying for you, dear Pea friend. |
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Sending healing wishes your way.
