What did you declutter today? Part II

[creditcardfree]

I made a Goodwill run today. A large box and a small box full of outgrown clothes, shoes, books, household items. I went through a pile I was saving for a spring garage sale (which is not going to happen for numerous reasons)and sent 95% to Goodwill, too. The items I saved will be put on ebay in the spring.

The line was short to drop off. It will only get longer as we get closer to the end of the year. I am hoping for one more run in the next couple of weeks, since I know there are more things to send on to others.

[marvholly]

I HAVE to get busy. Not only is the end of the year coming w/who knows what tax changes AND my major decrease in income but I got a mailing from Salvation Army. They will be picking up in my area in a week. I just have to box/bag the stuff & put it out. I already have a BUNCH of stuff I put by the door to donate the last couple weeks (not yet in my declutter count) but have not taken them in because of the number trips to/from the car to load/unload. Both time to do and the weather have put me off doing this.

Pulled 8 pairs of shoes no longer worn/fitting properly, 1 hardback book and 4 paperbacks to go into the 12/17 pickup. Books were bought at the annual used book sale at the mall or library so the charitable tax deduction will equal what I paid for them.

[disneysteve]

I have a new focus to declutter. Our garage door opener is broken but as stuff currently sits, the repair guy won't be able to get in to work on it. I'm going to have to get in there this weekend and move everything to the back so that he can get a ladder where he needs to and reach the cables and springs. Unfortunately, we are having an Arctic cold snap here, not the time I'd choose to work in an unheated garage. Think I'll put the space heater in there to try and at least take the deep chill off while I'm in there.

[creditcardfree]

I have a new focus to declutter. Our garage door opener is broken but as stuff currently sits, the repair guy won't be able to get in to work on it. I'm going to have to get in there this weekend and move everything to the back so that he can get a ladder where he needs to and reach the cables and springs. Unfortunately, we are having an Arctic cold snap here, not the time I'd choose to work in an unheated garage. Think I'll put the space heater in there to try and at least take the deep chill off while I'm in there.

My husband replaced our opener last February out in the very cold. We added the space heater and he wore gloves and a sweatshirt. He was moving around so that helped too. With the door closed it will keep any wind out. Good luck with the new goal!

[marvholly]

More for Thur: Went thru the bedroom bookcase. Trashed 9 items. Moved 2 to the still need to read pile and put 2 paperbacks in the to donate pile. Trashed an old pair of shoes I just use in snow because I think they are causing stress on my left hip joint.
2 pair women’s dress shoes & 3 blouses moved to donate pile. I picked up a bannana carton st the grocery store (FREE) to put all this in. Easier, heavier duty & cheaper than trash bags.

[Aleta]

maryholly: That's probably a good idea to move books to be read in a separate pile but in one place so you know.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Was thinking of getting rid of Christmas ornaments, as we haven't put up a tree for years. Then yesterday the girls (7 and 8 y/o) I tutor asked my if I could bring them "any Santa Clauses for our Christmas tree." I was just too charmed and remembered that last year their tree was pretty bare. This is a family that puts their money into what is really important to them and tree ornaments have not been high on the list, I'd say. Few families in their economic position would even pay for tutoring. So I went down to the basement to see what I could take to them. Unfortunately, most of the ornaments I have are glass. Their mom is blind and these rambunctious kids will play with the ornaments and leave them on the floor. So no glass, and nothing that might hurt to step on barefoot!

I found a few things. Not enough to make much impact on their tree, but one small package out of here, yay. Of course, I'll want to swing by the thrift store and dollar store to see what I can find in the way of "any Santa Clauses for our Christmas tree." Maybe some candy canes, too.

[snafu]

so great to see de-cluttering and purging of items no longer needed or used. It makes staying organized and finding what you want when you want it, easy - peasy.

We got a message from SPCA pleading for damaged, worn out, threadbare sheets, towels, blankets and a donation. It's a good idea to review the linen cupboard in December to list what to look for during the January 'White' sales. Pulled 3 bath towels whose selvage edges had been repaired but frayed again and an old poly filled quilt that has lost it's loft. Left bag in the car for drop off with a cheque when I'm next in the SE.

Current thinking is three sets of bed linen per bed is adequate [except babies & kiddies still being toilet trained]. Decide how much is enough to meet your lifestyle and consider donating to one of the charities to allow someone to use and enjoy your generosity. Americans get the added benefit of a receipt for charitable donation!

[marvholly]

Friday was the first time in a week/more that the temps got decent (at/above freezing) so I finally got my trash out. Will not be picked up until Tue or maybe Wed if we get the predicted storm but I NEEDED to get it out especially after all the cooking done this week.

I had done a BUNCH of shopping (new store grand opening)& cooking over the week so I needed to declutter my kitchen fridge/freezer to my basement freezer.

[disneysteve]

DD has a friend coming over today and her tutor coming tomorrow so taking the morning to tidy up. We've noticed that doing so is noticeably easier than it used to be since we've been doing a better job of keeping the clutter down day to day.

Went through some recent mail on the table.
Put away some gift bags and tissue paper from Chanukah presents.
Took a couple of things back to the basement where they belong.
Entered a bunch of Coke Rewards codes and threw out the caps.
Vacuumed the kitchen and family room and around the fish tank in the sitting room.
Dusted the stairs.
Cleaned the bathrooms (DW and DD did that).

Just took a break to enter the Coke codes, check my mail and do a couple of other things on the computer. Then will probably head into the garage to do some work as the temp is a bit more mild today than it has been all week.

[Aleta]

SNAFU; i remember flylady saying that 2 sets of sheets were good for each bed. She suggested keeping the 2nd set under the mattress. I thought that was kind of ingenious because they wouldn't wrinkle and also wouldn't need a special shelf to keep them on. We also donate as well (old towels, etc). You can also donate your shredded recyclables as well. The hamsters love it.

[disneysteve]

Wow. I did get into the garage. I started by breaking down all of the empty cardboard boxes that had accumulated in there and put them in the recycling bin which pretty much filled the bin. That alone made a big difference. Then I condensed a bunch of stuff, much of which will ultimately get given away. Today, though, my focus was on clearing the area at the front of the garage so that I can call the garage door repair guy, so I wasn't concerned with packing stuff for Goodwill. I moved a few items from the front to the back of the garage to free up space. Finally, I restacked some boxes up against the wall to clear floor space. By the time I was done, the front third of the garage was the clearest it has been in years and the rest wasn't really any worse off.

[creditcardfree]

Congrats, Steve on the getting your garage cleared out enough for the repair man!! Feels good, doesn't it?

[irmanator]

SNAFU; i remember flylady saying that 2 sets of sheets were good for each bed. She suggested keeping the 2nd set under the mattress. I thought that was kind of ingenious because they wouldn't wrinkle and also wouldn't need a special shelf to keep them on. We also donate as well (old towels, etc). You can also donate your shredded recyclables as well. The hamsters love it.

I love this idea!!

I have extra motivation to declutter my kitchen bc my friend has a friend who lost stuff in a fire. So excuse the pun but it lit a fire under my arse.

[snafu]

irmanator: how wonderfully generous of you to give items to someone who has lost their belongings in a fire. I think that type of event must be emotionally devastating. I doubt I could feel comfortable with the one set-on-the-bed, one set in the laundry system since every bed here is a different size. I seem to need the security of one set of bedding per bed in the cupboard with several extra pillow cases as I sometimes change these out mid week. We've always changed out linens seasonally using jewel colors for winters, pastel/white for summer. Summer is very treasured here [very brief].

ds sorry your door opener ceased/seized but WhoooHooo you got so much done. How long did it take to clear the front 1/3 area? Interesting that it didn't negatively affect the rest of the space. I hope timing works out so that you get items to be donated to a charity of choice before the end of the year. You've been keeping up on clutter since mid September! Is it getting easier?