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Post by dewryce on May 8, 2024 22:42:32 GMT
Daily declutter task from My Simpler Life Declutter Calendar:
Get rid of broken, chipped plates and bowls.
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Post by dewryce on May 8, 2024 22:47:59 GMT
callmenutz Iâm so sorry for everything you are going through, you just canât seem to catch a break. You will be in my thoughts (((hugs))).
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Post by lg on May 9, 2024 4:19:03 GMT
Just decluttered hundreds of zip loc bags - they were from paper pieced scrapbook titles I got in the past and have now used - took them into a school so they can use them to store medications and use the larger ones for wet uniform items etc.
Also put away some items from my last craft order đ± now I might actually remember where to find them/find them where I look for them first.
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Post by dewryce on May 9, 2024 21:35:59 GMT
Daily declutter task from My Simpler Life Declutter Calendar:
Do you have plastic silverware you never use?
We always keep some, plus plates and bowls, in our emergency food stash box. If we canât cook I think we probably canât wash either.
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Post by ntsf on May 9, 2024 22:02:34 GMT
got a box off in mail today of stuff my son wanted from grandma's house.. and another box in hallway almost ready to go.. box in hallway for goodwill.. repacked dd's stuff she couldn't take this trip.
I really need to go through all my clothes.. but I think i will do it next week.. and make a big mess.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 11, 2024 12:35:35 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. Iâm home on IV antibiotics for an infection that wonât go away. Chemo is on hold and Iâm terrified. PLEASE pray for me! Big ((((HUGS)))) and many good, positive healing thoughts for you. I am so sorry you are going through so much. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 11, 2024 12:37:40 GMT
Daily declutter task from My Simpler Life Declutter Calendar: Get rid of broken, chipped plates and bowls. I do this whenever I see them.
I think it helps that I don't have special or sentimental dishes, so whenever I see a chip, it goes right in the trash, no questions asked. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that a chip in the glaze can let bacteria grow there.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 11, 2024 13:18:12 GMT
Slow progress is still progress.
I haven't bought new hangers because I haven't decided on what I do want. I seem to have a lot more listed that I don't want. Still looking.
I have actually been reading the book that I have been holding on to. So far, not gonna lie, it's meh. It's mass produced, unlikely hero saves lady that doesn't know she needs saving, but it's not horrible and not offensive. And I'm oddly glad that I'm reading again. Feels like I'm finding a part of myself that I didn't know I misplaced.
With it being springtime, I've been working in the yards and garden most days, at least a little every day. I am hyper aware of how it looks at first glance to people. I'm not even talking perfection, but I don't want anything that looks like trash. And I'm not going to lie, many, many neighbors have literal trash in their yard. Or (and I might get flak for this, understandably...) when they reuse household containers, like bright yellow Tidy Cat litter 40 pound buckets to grow plants in, it just looks awful. Like scrabbling a garden together in a junk yard.
But, I also have several neighbors that just throw their cigarette butts down onto their own sidewalk every single day. They literally have no problem throwing trash right there onto their own property. And of course I'm the one cleaning up the butts when they blow down the block and land in my yard.
I have a desire to streamline the toiletry products in and near the bathroom. I have a family member who has quite the assortment of partially used items. I'm hoping by the end of this month, items will be streamlined. They've already said some are not to their liking, but since I don't know which ones, the declutter will have to wait.
Speaking of toiletries, I ripped off the top flaps of the tampon boxes, condensed contents, and organized in open top shelf bins so that at a glance I can see what I have/need. Did similar organizing with pads. Though I purchase these items, they are used by all who need them. There is not much worse a feeling when you go to reach for a tampon and realize that the box has one rattling around and you will need to get more pronto.
I am continuing to use down the freezer meats, and pantry staples. Good feeling to have a bit of breathing room.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on May 11, 2024 14:31:29 GMT
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that a chip in the glaze can let bacteria grow there. The same applies to dishes with crazing. Crazing is when the glaze is compromised and you see all those little lines on your dishes. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on May 11, 2024 15:41:39 GMT
Not much going on in the purging department lately. This past week I did get three new houseplants (small) and put them in cute pots that were just sitting on the shelf in the garage. So those are in the house and being useful now. Really trying to make an effort to use the things that we have collected and are just sitting around.
Picked up some new dishtowels and added two old ones to the donation box. I wait until I have enough old towels & bath rugs then make a donation at an animal rescue we support.
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Post by alsomsknit on May 12, 2024 13:11:02 GMT
Earlier this week, I went through my walking and biking clothes. Decluttered a small bag.
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Post by lg on May 12, 2024 23:34:31 GMT
Peas I officially cleared off the dining room table on the weekend and plan on keeping it that way. Like for good. Pinky promise. Wish me luck keeping it that way đ€Łđ€Ł
Now to get to those 488474 crafting projects I have yet to completeâŠ
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Post by Linda on May 12, 2024 23:56:56 GMT
2 books went in the mail to DD24; 2 more went into the donation box, 1 went to DD17 (so not out of the house but off my shelves)
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Post by crazy4scraps on May 13, 2024 1:15:34 GMT
Iâve been super busy with end of the school year events for DD so havenât been doing a lot lately. But Indid go through a box of random craft stuff that has been sitting in my studio since DD was in 4th grade.  Yeah, sheâs finishing up 8th grade. I put most of the stuff away that had homes to go to in my studio, took the four skeins of partially used yarn that I likely wonât ever use and put them in a ziplock bag to either give away or donate (will make sure DD doesnât want them for something first), and tossed some random stuff in the trash. The box was empty, so I used it to put the rest of DHâs canning jars in the basement storage. Then I emptied out another random basket of stuff and nested the basket inside the bigger one that matches it. I havenât decided yet if theyâre something I can use for storage at the lake cabin or if I should put them up on Buy Nothing or donate. For now they are ok to sit in the basement while I decide. I still need to post the stuff Iâm collecting up for Buy Nothing, but I know I wonât get to it this week. Thankfully there are only 13 days left of school, after that it will be easier to get to this stuff because I wonât need to drop off/ pick up/ drive my kid all over tarnation LOL. |
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Post by natscraps on May 13, 2024 1:21:07 GMT
DH tossed a few dress shirts that were yellowed on the collar. I cleaned out my personal cabinet at work and tossed outdated and stale snacks. Tackled the usual hot spots at home today. Not much will get done in the house this week as my school year wraps up.
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Post by Delta Dawn on May 13, 2024 2:26:55 GMT
All I am getting rid of is the patio furniture which we are just going to replace. There is talk about getting smaller stuff though. Plus minus nothing.
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Post by mikklynn on May 13, 2024 13:02:08 GMT
I went through a box of random card bases and envelopes. It was taking up a lot valuable space in my craft armoire. I tossed the envelopes that didn't have bases or were weird sizes. I saved some tiny envelopes for shower cards. I cut up some too large bases for note paper. The rest of the sets I am giving to a friend that makes cards for seniors.
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Post by Linda on May 14, 2024 22:01:59 GMT
The next round of the Grand Plan (cleaning/decluttering) starts on Sunday. If anyone is interested, I can try and post the weekly tasks. If no one cares then I'll skip posting.
I just spent two hours upstairs labelling (with my handy-dandy label maker, lol) the Iris photo boxes. I labelled the outside with the year range and then each interior box is labelled with the year (and destination for trip photos). I also filed another big stack of labelled photos into the correct boxes - that task will be easier next time now that the boxes are all labelled. And yes, I'm sure there will be a next time...I keep finding more photos.
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Post by ntsf on May 14, 2024 23:32:29 GMT
I like your postings!!! makes. me think about it, even if I am focusing on something else.
I just had an electrician chasing all over trying to figure out what an electrical contractor did 10 yrs ago.. the plugs that were installed then and my smoke detectors have no power. after two hours of trying to figure where the lines went. my dh did.. we have a 1927 house. so in the process lots of stuff got pulled away from walls, moved, etc.
im going to get him to deal with his stuff when I get back from helping to clear out his mother's house. all the practice of getting rid of stuff has come in handy. yes, I am bring stuff home from her house.. but I am getting rid of more from mine and we are rearranging the furniture. I was talking to the women while getting my pedicure and one said she might want my kid's bunk bed. that would be good!!! furniture is hard to get rid of. I am getting my adult daughter a new bed and she can use the best mattress. getting rid of twin bed in spare bedroom.. no one wants to sleep on a twin. will just use an air mattress. putting a big table in there instead. getting some elfa shelves from mil's house too.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 18, 2024 13:24:17 GMT
This morning I swept the street outside my house, because any leaf debris tends to catch broken glass, random nails and screws, bits of plastic trash, and cigarette butts.
Then headed out back to continue the never ending chore of ripping english ivy off my fence. It grows from the renter's side yard, but makes its way over to my fence. I've made my peace that it will never be all the way eradicated, but I try to keep on top of it at least a little bit so that it doesn't become a massive behemoth that eats my privacy fence and comes after my veggie patch next.
I finally have a capsule wardrobe. It's all casual, but that really works for me, and I try to keep absolutely on top of it This morning I just tossed two pairs of jeans that I haven't worn for almost a year, I think. I kept thinking they were "just in case" jeans, but c'mon. I have five pairs of jeans I like. I'm not going to magically ruin them all at once and have no option but to wear the unliked ones.
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Post by Linda on May 18, 2024 13:32:34 GMT
I'm almost done collecting all the branches from recent storms and piling them for debris pickup (which'll start on Monday).
I labelled two 5x7 photo cases (with the 6 inside cases) - and organised the photos by year and made sure they were labelled. One more case arrives today for the older photos (pre-1969)
I emptied out a box of random photos and documents - photos were labelled and put in their chronological boxes, most of the documents were labelled and filed and the remaining are in the 'to be dealt with' box by person. (I inherited a LOT of documents and certificates and ... - and I have a iris box (or 2) for each person (parents/grandparents) and related group (other relatives) that I'm slowing going through)
And I finished labelling the 2019 digital photos.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 18, 2024 15:38:21 GMT
Every time I think that I couldn't have forgotten to declutter my things, I find something new.
I just decluttered the backpack I took last summer when my kid had a surgery/hospital stay. All the clothes & toiletries were already taken out, but tell me why I left the cafeteria menu, random papers, ziplock bags, an unworn pair of hospital socks, etc. All that mess tossed, bag stored.
It being May, I just washed, folded, and vacuum bagged several blankets that are used during the winter.
I added another school uniform shirt and an outgrown, but still nice, pair of uniform shoes to the donation pile (whenever PTA says it's go time).
Cooking from the freezer for lunch, and pulled out a bag with premade frozen stuffed pasta shells. Had just enough to go with lunch (but not dinner).
Also made a conscious effort this week to use up the almost empty flavored coffee bags from the pantry. One cup here, two cups there. Used the last of the dutch chocolate this morning.
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Post by cecilia on May 18, 2024 16:54:47 GMT
My Dad took off recycling and hazardous waste today.
Gave some fabric to volunteer group who makes quilts yesterday. They put it with their stash at the volunteer group building.
I am trying to clean up for family today while working on films. Determined to get to 200 screened to get all access pass.
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Post by natscraps on May 18, 2024 21:17:02 GMT
Iâm done teaching for this school year. Time to get serious about this house. DS still has a week and a half of school and 5 weeks of day camp so I hope to make good progress on some of those days. My goal is to spend 1-2 hours a day 3 days a week on decluttering. I would like to do more but donât know if my body will allow it. Figured I would set an attainable goal so I donât get upset with myself for not meeting lofty expectations. Anything over will be a bonus. Right now Iâm decluttering my âto be watchedâ and âto be readâ lists that have accumulated quite a few things since August đ
I also have to declutter my classroom in the next few weeks. My old (1957) storage cabinets are being replaced later this summer and Iâm determined for everything to go into the new ones organized.
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Post by Linda on May 19, 2024 20:46:44 GMT
week one grand cleaning plan
It's Here! Week 1 of Round 2 of the Cleaning Plan. It will run until Aug 17th, then we will take a short break with the Holiday Grand Plan to follow starting Sept 1 this year.
First week of the 2nd round of the Cleaning Plan we're on the Front Porch. Hopefully it's not too hot or cold for you but this is probably the best round to do a thorough job on this area. Mine sure needs a good sweeping and could use some pretty flowers to dress it up.
The front porch is an important asset to your home. First impressions are important. If the entrance to your home is a mess, then it doesnât matter how organized the inside is, youâre still perceived as a âmessieâ. Assemble your supplies, broom, window cleaner, screwdrivers, paper for lists, trash can.
Start at the front door. Is there a dead rug for wiping feet? Is it savable? Toss it into the driveway for hosing down, into the trash, or into the laundry basket.
Remove everything from the porch that you can. Trash bags, recyclables, kidsâ toys, those boxes that go to Goodwill. Set things in the grass if you have to but get them off the porch.
Is there a swing? Look at it closely. Are the hinges catching on clothes? Is it a disaster waiting to collapse? A quick turn of the screwdriver can fix that. How about the cushions? If cleanable, put them with the rug for hosing down. If trash, then trash them. Write down âget new cushionsâ on your list.
Take the screens off the windows. Put them with the rug & cushions for hosing. Using the broom, sweep every windowsill & doorframe. Sweep down the outside walls. Look up high-are there cobwebs in the corners? Sweep âem down!
After doing the walls & frames, then you can sweep off the porch itself. Donât forget the steps. Open the front door and sweep off the sill too. Do you need to change the light bulb? Put new bug lights on your list.
Wash the outside of the windows. While theyâre drying, get out the hose & spray off the rug, screens & swing cushions. Put the screens back on the windows.
Now step back and admire what youâve done so far. Look at the mess in the yard that came off the porch. Does any of it belong back on there? Do you have to keep the weekly trash there or can you hide it somewhere else? Toys in the back yard? Perhaps a big bucket for front yard toys? Only you know what can stay there.
Do the hedges in front of the porch need trimming? Either put that on your list for the next nice Saturday or get out your clippers & trim them up now.
Does the front door need painting? How about its screen? New hardware can make a big difference. What about the mailbox? Does the doorbell work?
Write down any fixes and set a specific time to do them. And then do them when the time comes! As long as youâve done this much, go ahead and look at the sidewalks & driveway. Too much junk? Remove it to the backyard. Sometimes itâs easier to hose down the driveway than to sweep it.
Now go out to the street and really look at what youâve accomplished. Arenât you proud to live there now? You should be! Head inside for a well deserved rest. Donât forget to take that list you made & transfer it to either SHE cards or your planner!
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Post by Linda on May 19, 2024 20:49:09 GMT
labelled my parents' wedding photos last night - physical and digital - and organised them. I suspect I'll run across a couple more later and I know there's some memorabilia floating around but otherwise I can tick that off the list.
Next up are the rest of the 1969 photos including their honeymoon, their first home together, and their dating and engagement plus photos of mum's parents at home and when they came over to London for the wedding.
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Post by ntsf on May 20, 2024 3:11:04 GMT
it is not my organizing, but I helped my sister in law go through boxes she brought back from her mom's house 4 yrs ago.. and put old family pictures in album labeled.. we sorted out other pictures from family.. got rid of some stuff.
I am redoing two albums for her this week (she has pancreatic cancer.. so limited energy)..
I keep working on my mother in law's house. dh is coming tomorrow and we will go full force at getting rid of stuff. we are going to rent storage unit to move out the stuff we want to keep..
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Post by Linda on May 20, 2024 19:09:07 GMT
cleaned out and re-organised my fridge, fridge freezer, and freezer so far today. (why yes, we do put the bins at kerb tonight for tomorrow - however did you guess?)
I now have a list of meats and other items that my menus going forward need to use. That should help with the grocery budget a bit since between that and the weekly farm box - I should have most of what I need for the next couple of months.
Next up after my water break is the pantry. Any guesses on how many boxes of cereal we have? DH is the main consumer and purchaser of cereal and he LOVES BOGO cereal sales. For the record we are a family of three - DH eats cereal every day, I eat it maybe a dozen times in a month, and DD almost never eats it.
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Post by Linda on May 20, 2024 19:57:25 GMT
cereal update
13 unopened boxes
9 open boxes
3 bags of granola (1 is open)
farina
quick oats
3 canisters of old fashioned oats (one is almost empty and there was a BOGO sale)
pantry has been reorganised - I moved the unopened cereal to another spot in hopes the open will get eaten
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Post by ntsf on May 21, 2024 3:27:59 GMT
well.. I think after growing up very disorganized.. I am now an organizer. I am continuing to get rid of stuff at mother in law's.. dh came here today and noticed his sister made off with stuff he had put aside for himself.. without asking at all. family drama.
I was hanging out my disabled sister's apartment waiting for the new housecleaner to show up. and I couldn't help it.. I got rid of empty boxes, boxes of stuff that came from my dad's house 3 yrs ago (untouched)..
and I ended up taking a bunch of stuff for a dump run and a bunch of stuff for goodwill. so I swung by goodwill and donated what I could. the car was full.
I told her that I will help clean/organize her bedroom next time I am in town. in a few months.
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Yeah, sheâs finishing up 8th grade. I put most of the stuff away that had homes to go to in my studio, took the four skeins of partially used yarn that I likely wonât ever use and put them in a ziplock bag to either give away or donate (will make sure DD doesnât want them for something first), and tossed some random stuff in the trash. The box was empty, so I used it to put the rest of DHâs canning jars in the basement storage.
