2014 - destash thread The Year of the Great Purge

[ski_mom]

Nothing fancy, but has been so awesome! Just hang them on the hanger! I did mine by size so I can see them. I have a hanger for each different type - birthday, Christmas, baby, wedding, etc. I have a rod in my basement so they are hanging there.

That looks really nice! Thanks for sharing!

 

[superme80]

Consolidated all the duplos!!!!! So they have a big bin instead of the boxes they came in. Boxes are in the recycling!!!! Next is that random box of stuff in the kitchen.

 

[Debbie]

Worked on the donation box. I cleaned out DH's drawers earlier this week, but yesterday I attacked the closet. Found 3 pair of jeans that are too big. And....I grabbed my DAD's suit that was handed down to DH when Dad died-23 years ago. I didn't tell DH, because every time I mention getting rid of it, he claims, "Nothing wrong with it. Leave it in the closet." I'm pretty sure that DH won't notice.

 

[Deffenm]

I cleaned out linen closet last night and cleared a whole shelf, which I put the kids' board games and craft stuff on so it is one place and organized.

I got up too early this morning so since I had nothing to do I cleaned out the junk drawer in the kitchen.

Tonight I plan to clean out fridge in basement so we can list it to sell. It just needs a wipe down, especially on the top of it.

 

[delmar411]

Pulled the extra cups/mugs out of the cabinet as well as the paper plates that were leftover from bday parties. Once the dishes are done I will have to cull out mugs from there as well. Plus I think my teen has hoarded a good bit of the cups in her room (I don't think her room will be destashed until she moves out!) so I will need to hound her to cough them up.

Our tree is still up so that is the goal for today. Get the ornaments off and the tree put away. My mom has firmed up her dates for her visit so we only have a week to finish up some projects before she gets here but Im not going to stress about it. If I do then nothing will get done.

My to-do for today:
Pack away extra mugs/water bottles
Mail some eBay items
Buy forgotten grocery items
Put away tree and ornaments

My projects for the next week are: (this is a realistic list)
Finish hanging pictures
Find the Santa pics and figure out where to hang those plus frame/hang this year's pic ( I've got pics with the kids from every year since 2003)
Actually take the pile of books to donate over to the school ( they have been sitting there for about 3months!)
Organize/sort the Tupperware cabinet
Organize/sort the pantry

Other projects for the month:
Sell?/get rid of our Elfa shelving unit
Finish teaching the boys to ride their new bikes- DH needs to help at the same time
Get DH to assemble his bike
Get Dh to finish assembling the bball hoop (sense a theme here?)
Sort shoe cabinet and get rid of some shoes
Sort hat/glove bin and downsize to a small shoebox sized bin
Hang vinylmation cabinets
Finish photo frame project (only been in progress for 2 years LOL and could be completed in about 4 hrs)
Download all digital photos to the computer from all devices
Get DH to sort through/trash/organize his side of the bed
Sort organize under our sinks
Hang the pictures my mom is bringing with her

I'm also waiting for my parents to go back to the old house in Indy to collect up all the remaining stuff they left there and see if our 3 missing shelves from the bookcases are there. I'm really unhappy that these went missing in the move because how do shelves go missing?? We can't use the bookcases (and need to) until we get the shelves so I might just suck it up and see if I can't find some replacement shelves.

Ok...that's it. I need to get a move on if I'm going to get anything done today.

 

[kristinradico]

I love reading this thread! Always gives me motivation to keep at it! Nothing big to report...I added more children's clothing items to my sell bins. I also sold an extra Scentsy warmer on a FB page!

 

[delmar411]

My to-do for today:
Pack away extra mugs/water bottles
Mail some eBay items
Buy forgotten grocery items
Put away tree and ornaments

Ok, everything but the grocery shopping is done. Mi need to grab a shower and go do that now.

 

[Alexle2007]

I think I am finally caught on cleaning out my DS6 drawers and closet for clothes that are too small except for his sock drawer. I now have about 11 bags of clothes sitting in his room. My niece is pregnant and doesn't find out until Feb whether she is having a girl or a boy so I have to hold on to them until then. If not, they'll get split between friends. And I cleaned out the guest room drawers. Now to find a home for all the Lego currently in my living room in the playroom. This will be the biggest challenge.

 

[mafibisha]

Find the Santa pics and figure out where to hang those plus frame/hang this year's pic ( I've got pics with the kids from every year since 2003)

I would love to know how you're organizing your Santa pics!!

And I'd love to hear ideas from anyone!

I would love to find a creative way to display and preserve them.

 

[dtr_angel]

Did some more shredding today... is it ever going to be done?! I think the last time I emptied the shred bin was this time last year. I believe I said then I wouldn't wait until it got full but here I am again. I signed up for e-bill for EVERYTHING except the one bill I have to mail. That should help. I am so sick of all those credit card offers though, I wish I could remember how you opt out of getting them.

My one load of laundry is in the dryer and probably ready to be folded. I did under the kitchen sink and bathroom sink. Yesterday we finally finished cleaning the bathroom and the fridge is nice and neat and organized. Now that the whole house is finally clean its time to start over again

As soon as the shredding is done, that will complete all the "home office" tasks that I wanted to de clutter and organize. Then it's on to the kitchen which is a dreaded room but is begging to be decluttered and organized. I'm sick of fighting with drawers that are too stuffed full and having to duck for cover when opening cabinets.

 

[msmama]

I cleaned out 7 trash bags worth of shoes and clothes from my closet today. Not a typo. Seven.

Now just have to figure out what to do with them. I'm thinking just one (or maybe several) of those donation boxes. The goodwill close by closed and I don't really want to spend much more time on this project.

 

[delmar411]

I would love to know how you're organizing your Santa pics!!

And I'd love to hear ideas from anyone!

I would love to find a creative way to display and preserve them.

I just have all of the pics in 5x7 frames and they are hung in order so you can see the progression. It makes me happy.

 

[Debbie]

Peter Walsh Day 8: Clean out under ONE sink

 

[dtr_angel]

Peter Walsh Day 8: Clean out under ONE sink

I'm an overachiever. I did the kitchen AND bathroom sinks today Besides shredding that's about all I got done in the decluttering/organizing department today.

 

[Alexle2007]

I cleaned out 7 trash bags worth of shoes and clothes from my closet today. Not a typo. Seven.

Now just have to figure out what to do with them. I'm thinking just one (or maybe several) of those donation boxes. The goodwill close by closed and I don't really want to spend much more time on this project.

I always use Purple Heart. They pick up right at my garage door. So much easier!

 

[pjlla]

SO.... I'm sitting here, reading about decluttering instead of actually doing it! And thinking about how to introduce my clutter-hound self to you all. I've followed the de-clutter threads for a few years now (but I don't think I've every posted) and have had varying degrees of success getting the decluttering done. But as I sit here and read, DH informs me that the internet folks are coming in three hours to change our service.... and will need basement access!! That is TRULY the one area of the house where I NEVER, EVER allow any one (other than immediate family) to go!!

When DD had her graduation party last summer, the entire house was cleaned, picked up, freshly painted....you name it.... including the playroom and the garage! But the basement.... neglected again!

So I'm going to say I'M IN FOR 2014 decluttering.... and I'm off to the basement to at least clear a path for the service man!! Baby steps, right?? ............................P

BTW.... special howdy-hey to my buddy Buffy!!

 

[dpswift]

SO.... I'm sitting here, reading about decluttering instead of actually doing it! And thinking about how to introduce my clutter-hound self to you all. I've followed the de-clutter threads for a few years now (but I don't think I've every posted) and have had varying degrees of success getting the decluttering done. But as I sit here and read, DH informs me that the internet folks are coming in three hours to change our service.... and will need basement access!! That is TRULY the one area of the house where I NEVER, EVER allow any one (other than immediate family) to go!!

When DD had her graduation party last summer, the entire house was cleaned, picked up, freshly painted....you name it.... including the playroom and the garage! But the basement.... neglected again!

So I'm going to say I'M IN FOR 2014 decluttering.... and I'm off to the basement to at least clear a path for the service man!! Baby steps, right?? ............................P

BTW.... special howdy-hey to my buddy Buffy!!

I know how you feel I hate having people into my house to do work because of the mess.

I have been doing baby steps all week. I have shredded 2 grocery bags of papers, and am in the process of washing sheets for Goodwill. After they dry i will bag them up with some clothes and put them in the car.

 

[Deffenm]

I am so excited DH and the kids got a couch, chair, and big box of junk out of the basement and it is sitting by the curb ready for trash to collect tomorrow! I didn't get to the fridge in the basement last night so that is on my list tonight. I will get this basement done this year!

 

[Scooby2002]

This thread is great i know im a few days into the year, but my house is not to terribly clutered, however my attic is a mess. My goal for this year is to clean out every nook and crany, closet, and the attic. Over the past few years since we have moved in together it seems some of the stuff we have never gets used, and it needs to go in my opinion. not to mention the overwhelming array of clothes that I have that take up 3 closets, 14 drawers, and a hanging rack in the back bedroom. not sure how i got so many. I think im going to adopt the motto if i have not worn it in a year it needs to go. Good luck to everyone, and maybe reading about other people success stories will keep me on track to accomplishing my goal.

 

[pjlla]

I know how you feel I hate having people into my house to do work because of the mess.

I have been doing baby steps all week. I have shredded 2 grocery bags of papers, and am in the process of washing sheets for Goodwill. After they dry i will bag them up with some clothes and put them in the car.

Thanks. As it turns out, the serviceman showed up almost 2 hours EARLY! I was just barely starting downstairs before he arrived.... but at least I got the kitty litter scooped!

Anyhow, I was TOTALLY frustrated that he was there before I even got a decent path cleared.... but I didn't give up. I figured I could work while he worked and I managed to clear two paths.... one for him from the stairs to the electrical box, and another area across the back of the basement.... probably a full bowling alley size path cleared there!

Most of what we have down there is just stuff that needs a better home. The big path was fairly easily cleared because it was all lumber that DH just PLOPPED on the floor down there, rather than give it a real home. I moved it into what SHOULD be the workshop area, lined it up nicely along the back wall. Then I moved the chop saw from the middle of the floor off to the workshop area.

I also went through a box of DD's clothes. She doesn't want them right now, but I was able to put them in with my off-season hanging bags that are downstairs, so at least that is one plastic bin that is empty now.

I also sorted through my fall/halloween/t.giving decor. Again, not much to toss out, but it desperately needed to be straightened up and organized. I wound up all of my grapevine rope into batches and taped it up, bundled up the silk leaf garland, etc, etc. Didn't really toss anything out, but it is all nicely organized and all fits properly into its box.

I also went through a bin full of leftover guinea pig stuff. I never did that after the piggies died. I found a bunch of food and treats that had to be tossed out and a bag and a half of hay that was too old to consider giving away, but I tossed it out into the yard.... I figure that the turkey, deer, etc are desperate enough now to eat old hay (not moldy or anything though). I also found a sealed jug of grain that I will bring to school and donate to the preschool (they have a GP as a class pet).

I have a bad compulsion to save "good" containers (like the plastic jars that nuts come in, Crystal Light tubes, coffee cans, etc), but decided that I had faaar too many for ANY project I might come up with and I had already asked the art teacher at school if she could use any, so I bagged up a LARGE shopping bag full for her.... leaving myself a much more reasonable number!

So overall more "straightening" than purging, but still a good job! Thanks to you all for the continuing inspiration!.................P