What did you declutter today? Part II

[disneysteve]

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?

I didn't time it but I think it was under an hour.

I can't say that it totally didn't affect the rest of the space but really not significantly. There is a side door into the garage but the door doesn't work. I had a path cleared to the door which really served no purpose so today I stacked 3 boxes in part of that path to get them out of my way up front. Also up front, I had several boxes that were only 1 level on the floor. Just stacking them up freed up a bunch of floor space. The most significant thing today was how many empty carton boxes I cleared out of there. That's why, in the end, it looks so much better in there. I broke down probably 15-20 boxes of varying sizes, from fairly small Amazon shipping boxes to the very large box that our computer came in. Once all of those were gone and some of the remaining items were stacked more compactly, it looked much nicer.

I'm hoping to get some more stuff to Goodwill before year end. I have the box of cookbooks I cleared out a couple of weeks ago ready to go and while cleaning today, I did nearly fill another carton with stuff to give away.

Is is getting easier? Yes and no. As I mentioned earlier, tidying up for company is easier because there is less stuff lying around. Cleaning (dusting, vacuuming) is easier for the same reason.

On the other hand, in some ways, decluttering was easier when I first started because there was so much surplus junk around it wasn't tough to find stuff to get rid of. The further in the process I get, the harder it gets to find items to part with. But I'm just continuing in layer by layer. I'm getting to stuff I honestly haven't seen in years. Winter isn't the best time for garage cleaning but I'm quite sure that when there are some milder days like today, and in the spring, I'll be making a lot more progress in there. There is a lot in there that I've saved over and over and I just no longer have the desire to keep saving. I'd rather have the space and order and mental clarity that comes with it.

[marvholly]

DS
I suspect your mild days are over for a bit if my weather in metro Chicago is any indicator.

Kids gave me an immersion blender last night as requested. I will try it out today and donate my full size blender if I like it. That will also free up space (+) to store it. this is also a frugal since I make broccoli soup from the stems.

Other than that I think I will just do my nails and watch the Bears today as I am likely to be homebound due to weather until at least Tue & more likely Wed.

[SavvySpendingMommas]

I decluttered our fridge! It was full of old food that I didn't even know was in there!
It was sad that we let so much food/condiments go to waste though.

[disneysteve]

DS
I suspect your mild days are over for a bit if my weather in metro Chicago is any indicator.

Kids gave me an immersion blender last night as requested. I will try it out today and donate my full size blender if I like it.

Yes, it will be close to 60 degrees today and then in the 30s tomorrow and won't get out of the 20s on Tuesday so a big change is on the way.

I love my immersion blender but it will not replace your regular stand blender so don't plan on giving that away. The immersion blender is great for soups and sauces but not any good for things like smoothies and other frozen drinks or anything with larger pieces or ice cubes. You really need to keep both.

[disneysteve]

One garage item that I will definitely put on Craigslist in the spring is my lawn mower. I stopped mowing my own lawn a few years ago and don't ever expect to go back to doing it myself. I've kept the lawn mower all this time and it takes up a chunk of space. I thought about selling it last season but my cousin thought he might want it. It turned out that he didn't, so it is time to get rid of it. I just figure winter time isn't when people are likely to be looking for them. Toward the end of the winter, I'll get it cleaned up and gather all the accessories and manuals together and then list it online.

[krantcents]

Today, I did 2 simple things. I cleared my desk and cleaned out my attache. It is amazing how much i feel. Little things are making me happy!!!!

[Aleta]

DS: Your lawn mower will go fast. The first thing that we got rid of in our yard sale was our lawn mower. If you advertise your sale, the lawn mower will go even faster.

Sometimes something needing to be done or repaired is what gets rid of alot of unneeded items. What got me started on my decluttering was my husband installing closet systems into our master bedroom and the office closets. Having to take everything out was just the incentive that I needed. I still need to so some more but I have the bulk of it out. At least it looks pretty neat and accessible. I know where everything is and can get to it quickly.

[snafu]

ds: It helps to do new item in - old item out. I got an over-the-stove microwave which DH installed yesterday. When it was confirmed operable, I took a picture of our countertop micro, wrote a brief ad and listed on Kijji [local e-bay]. I had several calls within an hour and someone bought it at listed price by 7 pm. I wonder what you will do with your old desk chair now that you have a new, comfy chair? It helps to get it on the calendar if you wish a garage/yard sale the 1st weekend in April co ordinates with your clear out for Passover.

mh: an immersion blender is such a fun gizmo + no splatter, no blender jar to clean, use the container you want. It froths milk, aerates fz OJ, makes miraculous mayonnaise, you stop buying salad dressing because 1:3 parts vinegar to oil + whatever spice you wish, quantity you want [without unpronounceable chemicals]. Chunky salsa, hummus, crepe batter, chops nuts/dried fruit, anything whipped, emulsified, puréed, and takes no counter space! Enjoy

[disneysteve]

I wonder what you will do with your old desk chair now that you have a new, comfy chair?

The old chair is in pretty lousy condition. Literally, the padding is half gone and the plywood base is exposed. I certainly wouldn't try to sell it or donate it in that condition. Besides, I believe it was $19 brand new so it isn't worth much at all, especially in that condition. What I think I'll do is take it down the basement. I don't have a chair right now at the table where I work down there. I just need to find some cheap way to fix the seat with some new foam and some type of fabric cover. I don't care what it looks like when I'm done since it will be down there.

[marvholly]

DS
Ok I will kep the full size blender for now but IF I do not use it by next holiday season it is history. Now, I have to figure out where to put the immersion blender.

[Aleta]

maryholly: Mine came in a long rectangular box and I just keep it in there and stand it up on one of my bottom shelves. The box is easily recognizable and it's easy to stack if you have other items. I also have one of those I also have a mandolin slicer which has it's own container and accessories and it also stays next to the immersion blender.

snafu: That's a good idea about using the immersion blender to froth the milk. I just never thought about it. I have a frothing feature on my expresso maker, but it's hard to keep clean.

[disneysteve]

Now, I have to figure out where to put the immersion blender.

We keep ours in one of the cabinets under the counter. It doesn't take up much room and doesn't need to be out on the counter which is nice.

[minnie1928]

Today I freecycled a whole bunch of gift bags. I figured they would go fast, considering the holiday season, and I was right. So, bye-bye to 30+ bags that were just taking up room in my basement!!

[snafu]

ds: I hoped you'd send that old chair to the curb. I was at one of the larger Dollar stores this a.m. and notice they had tie-on chair pads typically used on wooden kitchen chairs or outdoor resin chairs @ $2. ea. They are seat shaped, fabric covered foam slightly less than 1/2 inch thick. If you have chair pads for outdoor furniture they might suffice.

mh: I keep the immersion blender inside it's cannister with glassware, standing upright or lying on it's side as it's mostly used for drinks. It can store with baking supplies if that's what you will use it most.

[krantcents]

I cleaned out my closet! I gave away clothes I do not wear. Maybe someone else will get some use of them.