What did you declutter today? Part II

[disneysteve]

Yesterday was kind of a lost day for me. I was still feeling lousy and had a meeting last night so was out from 7:30am until 10:00pm. So I tried to focus on new stuff at least. I again entered data for the 2 medical studies right away rather than piling up notes. I also did a pretty good job with incoming paperwork at my office and just had one small pile of charts to address by day's end. That is one thing that I've been much better about since starting this process. I've definitely been dealing with things more efficiently and in a more timely manner than I used to.

House decluttering is going to have to wait a few more days until I'm feeling better.

[Aleta]

I hope that you're feeling better soon DisneySteve. Came back from a trip with a bad cold and it goes and comes back.

I was doing really well when this started but I had a family visitor, went on a trip, came back ill. Our tire blew up while driving on the trip and I had to try to get more money back on the original tire. Also, had to go shopping for Granddaughter's birthday and got it mailed. Same family member came back for visit and someone abandoned a tiny kitten by my house. I took it Saturday and found it a home. Husband's father fell and broke hip so it has been a hectic time for us. I also got a letter written, taken to the post office as certified mail to a corporation about a complaint. Trying to take care of what comes up as soon as possible without procrastination.

I am encouraged by how Steve at least finds something to do everyday even when he's ill. That is so encouraging. There is a lot of different kinds of decluttering that you can do and so many here have new ideas. Love this thread. Hoping to get started again.

[disneysteve]

Feeling better today though still not 100%. Went through the newspapers today and got rid of a bunch of last week's sale ads and sections of the paper that I don't read. The trash and recyclables go out tonight so it was a good time to do it. Also emptied all of the trash baskets around the house. There is a little neighborhood paper that gets delivered (free) every week that we never look at and they just pile up in the garage. I got a bunch of them in the recycling bin tonight. I think that was pretty much it for the day.

[My English Castle]

Teeny Bit Done

Thanks Marvholly for the ideas. Unfortunately most of the cream cheese is sweet flavors--we've got raspberry, strawberry, hazelnut, maple. I had no idea there WERE so many flavors!

I took a bunch of buttons from those little bags that come with everything and brought them to church this afternoon when I was dropping other things off. They make very cute snowman ornaments from them for the Christmas fundraiser.

Work should be settling down soon and I can attack things with a fresh vigor.

[snafu]

DS: hope you're feeling better soon, I'd prescribe getting more rest/sleep if I had the nerve.
English: Perhaps the Philadelphia Creme Cheese site will provide ideas Philadelphia - Recipe Browse We use cheese to stuff celery, top hard boiled egg, with fruit on pancakes/waffles, dilute to dip for fruit slices or veggies, add to soup to make it creamier, stuff pasta.

The evening before trash pick-up can be your cue to clear the weird items in the fridge before they turn green or mushy. Friday night is 'BUFFET' here. Containers of leftovers are set out on the counter for everyone to choose what they will eat. If needed, I'll nuke baking potatoes or set out pita bread so these bits can be used up, topped with shredded cheese and quickly broiled. DKs bring their friends for home-made feed and they never seem to realize it's l-e-f-t-o-v-e-r-s [horror]. Years ago I learned that if I give casseroles or leftovers exotic names they'll eat and enjoy the concoction.

[marvholly]

English
You CAN use the sweet flavors to make cheese cake: baked graham cracker crust, berry or berry & nut cheese mixed w a BIT of sugar & 2 eggs, top w/sliced fresh fruit & bake 350 for 25-35 min.

NOT a good day Wed. Made 4 trips to my car w/the men’s clothing I want to consign/sell. Get to the place that does take men’s to find out they ONLY want ‘trendy’ stuff. Should have known by their location. Here I though I was going to declutter 50+ items. Need to make some calls.

I think I am going to attack some stuff in the basement today unless I have to go to DD2 (DGS1 Is sick and both need to work today). Old tax records into the file cabinet recently cleared that is still in the FR level office (may move to Bed 2), go over the ‘stock’ in the built in bar, rearrange to food & cleaning supply stockpile. I am SURE I will find a bunch of stuff to also trash/recycle if I even get half that done.

[snafu]

mholly: Please don't wear yourself out de-cluttering. Try setting a timer and work in 20 minute segments followed by a reward of 'me time.' Read a magazine, enjoy refreshing tea, chat with a friend, join friends for lunch, have a nap, watch a fav TV show...whatever makes you feel rewarded. The stuff will still be there for your next session!

If you have clothing rejected by consignment outlets, nearly all the shelters have a system to accept clothing donations and are appreciative.

[graceful]

Hope all those under the weather feel better asap!

Still chugging along. Mostly paperwork. Trimmed a few files including my parents' medical files. Pulling all their medical reports out and putting in a separate file while old bills on in another and others to be shredded included old cards and unimportant correspondence from the insurance company.

Went through a lot of "semi" important mail that was piled up on my desk. Stuff that I didn't immediately throw away at opening but didn't warrant immediate action at the time. Trying to STOP making these perpetual piles of mail/paperwork by taking a few extra minutes and taking care of incoming mail immediately. TRYING because some of these actions do become time consuming and I find I spend half the day taking care of mail and wondering why I didn't get any "real" work done.

[disneysteve]

FInally feeling pretty much normal today plus it was my short day in the office. I attacked a pile of stuff on my desk that had accumulated due to decluttering in other areas of the house. It was all stuff to keep but needed to be put in the proper place - bookshelf, file drawers, etc.

ETA: Also, started in on an area of our computer room that hadn't yet been touched. Several things recycled. A few added to the Goodwill pile. Some collectible boxes that I want to keep added to a carton of boxes that needs to go into the attic.

it feels good to feel good enough to do this much.

[Aleta]

With all of our recent events and situations, it didn't take long for the clutter to start coming back. I stayed home yesterday and went through the house collecting all of the newspapers, sales ads, unopened mail on the dining room table. The newspapers to recycle was a good 8" high. I tend to go full speed when I'm doing projects like this at the expense and neglect of others. I really need more balance in my life and activities and was reminded by what snafu advised Maryholly above. I do have a sturdy cardboard box that is 14"x 11" long and 3 " high. It is a perfect container to place all mail and flyers that I can't deal with at the time. When we organized the office closet - we placed that box there. It is very visible and easy to get to. It was a big help to me yesterday.

Today, I'm going to attempt to try to throw our 27 items. It is something that the FLy Lady.com uses to declutter. For some reason, it just works. I also deleted a ton of emails yesterday from my accounts. I also tried to get rid of a few surveys. There are a couple of survey sites that I will no longer do as soon as I reach the neccessary points to redeem for cash. I neeed to priortize who I'm going to devote time to.

[disneysteve]

Just realized I hadn't posted today. I entered data for my medical surveys and got rid of a bunch of notes for that. I got rid of a few papers and receipts that had accumulated on my dresser over the past few days. I went through and addressed a number of reports had work that had been hanging around too long and got those off my desk.

[snafu]

Hat off to Aleta for starting 'FLY' lady's 27 Fling project. It's wonderful to see how many are following this thread and joining DS to work towards making their homes more than a shelter. It needs to be an inspiring place that provides a backdrop that allows you to do daily, weekly, monthly tasks plus enjoy yourself. Good job all.

[marvholly]

This is NOT what I had in mind re; decluttering BUT to me it really is and makes better use of my limited $$ resources.

I went meat shopping in my big basement freezer Fri morning. I have 2 new chicken recipes I want to make and planned on buying leg quarters this week. However, I found 4 pkg in the freezer. One is now defrosted. Also found at 5 pkg of ground turkey. I like to keep some browned up & ready to go for a quick chili, nachos, tacos and/or taco salad. Again, defrosting one. Unlikely to bother replacing either UNLESS it is SOOO cheap I cannot resist. I will probably use some more legs for chicken soup pretty soon.

I also reminded myself about some other meats (ground beef & pot roast) I have down there that I should use.

[disneysteve]

I've gotten a lot done today and it isn't even noon. I accomplish so much more when I don't have to go to work.

We had a couple of new windows installed on Thursday and had to move a bunch of stuff for that to be done. I put everything back where it belonged this morning. That didn't actually get rid of any clutter but eliminated temporary clutter.

I put away a number of things from the living room that had been sitting around for way too long. I also reinstalled the two van seats that had been out since we went to Florida in August.

I ran over to Goodwill and donated a garbage bag full of clothing and a carton box full of assorted stuff. As I said to my wife, piling it up to give away is a good start but it isn't really gone until it is out of the house.

In the course of doing all of the above, I also did some general cleaning, vacuumed the kitchen and bathroom, went through today's newspaper and recycled all the stuff we don't need, got some important mail up to my desk and off the table, etc. As long as we have nowhere to be early, Saturday mornings tend to be when I get the most done around here.

[luvinmylife]

I haven't been decluttering as i had wished, but i did get a little something done yesterday. I worked on clearing out our carport. I made a pretty big dent and also priced some garage sale items. There are many things that have just been thrown out there that just don't fit in the house anymore. I hope 2 work on this at least 30 mins/day.