2014 - destash thread The Year of the Great Purge

[pjlla]

Day 2 - did all my clothes 2 days ago. I actually bought sweaters, I didn't have any that fit anymore, they were all to big.

WOOHOOO!!!

Peter Walsh Day 3. Cleaning under the bed of the master bedroom

January Cure (for the weekend): Buy flowers for the home and a thorough vacuum and wash of all floors.

Really? Under my bed? Do I have to? I'd rather do the basement!..........P

 

[dtr_angel]

Peter Walsh Day 9 is digital declutter. (I don't know how to post the link/video)

I do this on a regular basis with most things (pictures/videos) but definitely need to delete a bunch of the photos off my phone. I only have 8gb (iphone) and all the pictures are backed up on my computer. I don't have enough room to download the newest iOS so some of my apps I can't use anymore or I can't download new ones. Hopefully that will help... I should probably look for apps to delete too.

My son is a terrible sleeper but some days his naps are 2-3+ hours which is awesome. Well things have been awful awful lately (not going to bed til after midnight and lots of scream fests late) so we're experimenting this month with sleep since it can't possibly get worse I was going to try to skip a nap altogether today (yesterday he slept til almost noon and then napped 1530-1830 and of course was not ready to go to bed at what was his normal time before this hot mess) and didn't fall asleep until 1AM after a huge fight.. well he started melting down at 3 and when I asked him if he wanted a nap he rubbed his eyes and giggled while running to the stairs. Only took about a 15 minute fight before he decided he would take a nap... passed out in less than 4 minutes! Anyway, long story short... the pediatrician suggested cutting his naps short (we have a don't wake a sleeping baby rule in this house so we've never done that) so it looks like I only get 1-1.5 hours max of mommy time/day which is going to cut into getting things done. But if he starts going to bed at a decent time and sleeps better at night it will be worth it.

So with that said... since I've done some stuff online I only have a half hour to finish the shredding. I want it done so I can move on, lol. Luckily it is a no laundry day, but the kitchen is a mess - dishwasher needs unloaded and there is probably enough dishes to fill it half up again. My mom wants to stop after she gets off work to see the baby so I might take advantage of that and see if I can find my kitchen under all the mess

 

[pjlla]

Peter Walsh Day 9 is digital declutter. (I don't know how to post the link/video)

I do this on a regular basis with most things (pictures/videos) but definitely need to delete a bunch of the photos off my phone. I only have 8gb (iphone) and all the pictures are backed up on my computer. I don't have enough room to download the newest iOS so some of my apps I can't use anymore or I can't download new ones. Hopefully that will help... I should probably look for apps to delete too.

My son is a terrible sleeper but some days his naps are 2-3+ hours which is awesome. Well things have been awful awful lately (not going to bed til after midnight and lots of scream fests late) so we're experimenting this month with sleep since it can't possibly get worse I was going to try to skip a nap altogether today (yesterday he slept til almost noon and then napped 1530-1830 and of course was not ready to go to bed at what was his normal time before this hot mess) and didn't fall asleep until 1AM after a huge fight.. well he started melting down at 3 and when I asked him if he wanted a nap he rubbed his eyes and giggled while running to the stairs. Only took about a 15 minute fight before he decided he would take a nap... passed out in less than 4 minutes! Anyway, long story short... the pediatrician suggested cutting his naps short (we have a don't wake a sleeping baby rule in this house so we've never done that) so it looks like I only get 1-1.5 hours max of mommy time/day which is going to cut into getting things done. But if he starts going to bed at a decent time and sleeps better at night it will be worth it.

So with that said... since I've done some stuff online I only have a half hour to finish the shredding. I want it done so I can move on, lol. Luckily it is a no laundry day, but the kitchen is a mess - dishwasher needs unloaded and there is probably enough dishes to fill it half up again. My mom wants to stop after she gets off work to see the baby so I might take advantage of that and see if I can find my kitchen under all the mess

I can totally sympathize with the baby sleep situation. When my DS was about 2.5 y/o we decided to stop his naps all together. He was a great sleeper at naptime.... too good! I would often have to wake him after 2-3 hours.... then he wasn't ready to go to bed at a decent time in the evening. I had a 5 y/o DD at the time and she went to bed by 7:30 as I recall... but DS would be up until 10 pm after that nice nap! I wasn't getting ANY BREAK in my day because I would have DD at DS's nap time wanting attention and then DS wanting my attention all evening after DD went to bed!.

The first few weeks without the nap were pretty bad. By 5pm he was really cranky.... but I couldn't put him to bed that early or he would be up too early in the a.m. So we held off until about 7pm whenever possible. It took a few patient weeks, but it paid off in the long run and it wasn't too long before the kids were on very similar sleep schedules and I was able to have a bit of "me" time in the evenings after they went to bed (you know, that "me" time that involves laundry folding, dishes, etc ).

It is hard to give up that "mommy" time in the afternoon, but it will probably be best for ALL of you in the long run! Good luck... and believe it or not in the BLINK of an eye, your baby boy will be a "taller-than-you" teen and you will remember these nap time shenanigans with fondness.... .........P

 

[Debbie]

Lots of school work today, so I won't get to the challenges until the weekend.

To post a link, copy the URL of the desired page. Today's Peter Walsh's challenge is at https://www.youtube.com/embed/FKNf_G_KROw?rel=0 Write your post and highlight the word(s) that you want to use as the link. eg. Today is digital clutter. When you have the word(s) highlighted, touch the link (world + link above your workspace) and you are prompted to insert the link. Paste the URL, click OK and you are done!

Peter Walsh Day 9: Getting rid of digital clutter.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Okay crazy clutter cleaners....

I'm all for this! DH and I used to be really good. Used to be good because in our first 8 years married we moved 7 times! Then we moved into our current house. And we suspected we'd move before DD was 5. She's 8.5, we're slightly upside down, and here we sit with 9 years of stuff in some cases we haven't touched!

I wouldn't say we're hoarders, like I said, we moved 7 times in 8 years, we couldn't! But there are items that I'm wondering WTH to do with??! For example.....

I collect Elmos. I probably have 8 huge bins in the basement filled with Elmos of every kind imaginable. Back in the day my dream was to have a room to display them in. But that kind of passed. As did buying new things for my collection some years ago (I started collecting at 16 when finding Elmo items was very rare. As anyone with a kid knows now, it's quite the opposite). I can't imagine selling the items. But at the same time, I can't imagine doing anything with them. What would you do? We really have no where in the house for me actually to display them if I wanted to....And the collection ranges from autographed stuffed animals, to clothing, to smaller toys, down to silly things like toothbrushes.

Along those lines....I have probably all my stuff animals from when I was a child. I hung onto them for years (again in bins, so not gross and musty, etc). I know there is NO WHERE that will take stuffed animal donations (I've looked into this for my kids build a bears, etc). So if I purge these, am I looking at truly just throwing these items away? I've tried charities, police/fire, hospitals, etc, etc. No one wants these types of things. I've been donating to my children's day care over the years these items, but I'm sure even they are getting sick of me showing up w/ 10 grocery bags filled, LOL.

Are you saving anything from your past? I know I have boxes of just random things; old craft beads, wedding napkins (we've been married 18 years this year), extra wedding invites, old books I thought at one time were cool, dance programs from childhood, etc. Stuff I've saved, but do I really need it I guess? And if not, do I just throw these items away? I guess I get some of this from my mom, who saved a TON of my childhood toys (despite moving out of our childhood home). Which my kids do now play with. BUT, my kids likely would careless about my wedding napkins. (I should add, they are already in my wedding scrapbook, so I guess I could go ahead and just use them, right?).

We're great at purging/donating things like outgrown clothes, toys, etc. I guess I struggle with letting go of my "past" but if it's just in boxes....what's the point too, right?

What do you do with old yearbooks? Going back to Elementary school? I have the letters my husband sent when he was at basic training. I don't even WANT to read them, LOL. But I have them. Keep?

Okay I'm rambling. HELP!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Okay crazy clutter cleaners....

I'm all for this! DH and I used to be really good. Used to be good because in our first 8 years married we moved 7 times! Then we moved into our current house. And we suspected we'd move before DD was 5. She's 8.5, we're slightly upside down, and here we sit with 9 years of stuff in some cases we haven't touched!

I wouldn't say we're hoarders, like I said, we moved 7 times in 8 years, we couldn't! But there are items that I'm wondering WTH to do with??! For example.....

I collect Elmos. I probably have 8 huge bins in the basement filled with Elmos of every kind imaginable. Back in the day my dream was to have a room to display them in. But that kind of passed. As did buying new things for my collection some years ago (I started collecting at 16 when finding Elmo items was very rare. As anyone with a kid knows now, it's quite the opposite). I can't imagine selling the items. But at the same time, I can't imagine doing anything with them. What would you do? We really have no where in the house for me actually to display them if I wanted to....And the collection ranges from autographed stuffed animals, to clothing, to smaller toys, down to silly things like toothbrushes.

Along those lines....I have probably all my stuff animals from when I was a child. I hung onto them for years (again in bins, so not gross and musty, etc). I know there is NO WHERE that will take stuffed animal donations (I've looked into this for my kids build a bears, etc). So if I purge these, am I looking at truly just throwing these items away? I've tried charities, police/fire, hospitals, etc, etc. No one wants these types of things. I've been donating to my children's day care over the years these items, but I'm sure even they are getting sick of me showing up w/ 10 grocery bags filled, LOL.

Are you saving anything from your past? I know I have boxes of just random things; old craft beads, wedding napkins (we've been married 18 years this year), extra wedding invites, old books I thought at one time were cool, dance programs from childhood, etc. Stuff I've saved, but do I really need it I guess? And if not, do I just throw these items away? I guess I get some of this from my mom, who saved a TON of my childhood toys (despite moving out of our childhood home). Which my kids do now play with. BUT, my kids likely would careless about my wedding napkins. (I should add, they are already in my wedding scrapbook, so I guess I could go ahead and just use them, right?).

We're great at purging/donating things like outgrown clothes, toys, etc. I guess I struggle with letting go of my "past" but if it's just in boxes....what's the point too, right?

What do you do with old yearbooks? Going back to Elementary school? I have the letters my husband sent when he was at basic training. I don't even WANT to read them, LOL. But I have them. Keep?

Okay I'm rambling. HELP!

For what it's worth, here's my 2 cents:

First, purge as if you were moving again, think: If I were moving, would I move this? Because if you wouldn't, it's not worth keeping.

Second, the Elmos: Do they have sentimental value? If you donated some of the items would some child get more appreciation from them than you currently are? Could you keep, say, one bin of favorites and donate/sell the rest? Although Elmo is common now, some of the items are older and could be harder to find, you may find a market for them on ebay.

Third, the childhood and wedding things: If you have more than one of something, the napkins for example, maybe save one more and pitch the extras. The toys I say keep for grandkids. The school yearbooks, if you can't remember most of the people in them I suggest throwing them out, the exception being high school because those are ones you're most likely to look through again. School papers, throw them out. Your kids don't want them. Keep the letters from your husband, your kids will probably want to see them when they're older, especially after you're gone, it will be a special link to their parent's past.

Fourth, stuffed animals: Yard sale? Free on craigslist or freecycle? And STOP BUYING THEM! LOL, I know they're hard to resist, I have one child that loves to have them and snuggle them, but we have to limit them or they truly do take over. Oh, try the USO, I just remembered, my kids have gotten stuffed animals from my husband when he was deployed that the USO donated.

It's okay to keep things from your past, even if they are in boxes, but you need to think first of all, how special are these items to you? Will your kids want them after you pass? The craft items, will you use them again? If so, dig them out and put them where you can get to them.

Now, with all that being said, my view is tainted. I had a somewhat dysfunctional childhood and I have almost nothing from it, even high school and every now and then I will think "Gee, I wish I had my yearbook" or something like that, but in the end it's just stuff and I have the memories.

 

[dtr_angel]

I can totally sympathize with the baby sleep situation. When my DS was about 2.5 y/o we decided to stop his naps all together. He was a great sleeper at naptime.... too good! I would often have to wake him after 2-3 hours.... then he wasn't ready to go to bed at a decent time in the evening. I had a 5 y/o DD at the time and she went to bed by 7:30 as I recall... but DS would be up until 10 pm after that nice nap! I wasn't getting ANY BREAK in my day because I would have DD at DS's nap time wanting attention and then DS wanting my attention all evening after DD went to bed!.

The first few weeks without the nap were pretty bad. By 5pm he was really cranky.... but I couldn't put him to bed that early or he would be up too early in the a.m. So we held off until about 7pm whenever possible. It took a few patient weeks, but it paid off in the long run and it wasn't too long before the kids were on very similar sleep schedules and I was able to have a bit of "me" time in the evenings after they went to bed (you know, that "me" time that involves laundry folding, dishes, etc ).

It is hard to give up that "mommy" time in the afternoon, but it will probably be best for ALL of you in the long run! Good luck... and believe it or not in the BLINK of an eye, your baby boy will be a "taller-than-you" teen and you will remember these nap time shenanigans with fondness.... .........P

Thanks for the commiseration! Yesterday I woke him up after 1.5 hours and he was so confused, lol. Was cranky on and off. It took almost an hour of nursing and rocking but he went to sleep at 10pm. He woke up once at 1am and was back to sleep within 15 minutes which is unheard of! He woke at 745 and was cranky but we decided to make him stay up and he was in a good mood all morning. He was ready for a nap at his "normal" time of 1pm. We woke him up again at the 1.5 hour mark so here's hoping we're on to something with the night sleep. I miss my 3 hours of mommy time (which is usually house work but occasionally I do nothing or I nap too) but hopefully it pays off in the end.

That must've been really tough with them both on different schedules. I love my son more than anything and love the moments with him all day but I definitely like that quiet time during naps or after bed.

 

[dtr_angel]

My load of laundry is washed, dried, folded and put away
I also did a load of kitchen towels and wash cloths. We have entirely too many. I don't know what to do with them since they are all used. So I took some downstairs to put away. We'll use whats out until they wear out. Same with pot holders... I left one set of the mitt ones upstairs and put the rest away for when these get old. That leaves a small drawer in the kitchen free. I guess I'll find something to put in there when I start on the kitchen soon.

In breaking news I AM DONE SHREDDING! I never thought I would get done. 3 big bags of recycling and 2 bags of trash. I vacuumed the basement to get up all the debris. DH and I managed to cross off a few small things on our to do list too.

It's on to the kitchen now. I need to get some small command hooks. I am going to organize the measuring spoons & cups by putting them on the hooks inside a cabinet door.

I have a bunch of salsa jars and things like that (like a previous poster said) that I saved to projects that I have never used that I know I can get rid of.

I did already organize 2 cabinets with these recently
http://www.amazon.com/Variera-Organ...8&qid=1389387371&sr=8-1&keywords=ikea+variera
the bakeware cabinet and the pots/pans. It's made a world of difference. I've never been to an ikea because the closest one is like 2.5 hours away but I think they are like $5 there.

I had a kitchen canister full of box tops for education, huggies and pampers rewards, coke caps. I dumped them on the counter so I'd get a move on entering them so I can throw them away! (except for the box tops, of course)

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Every now and then I get a post card from the Disable Vets saying they will be in out area on a certain date and to call if we have anything. IT s the best we clean out what we can and put it on the porch the day they come and all is gone! And they leave me a donation receipt for my tax write off.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

My load of laundry is washed, dried, folded and put away
I also did a load of kitchen towels and wash cloths. We have entirely too many. I don't know what to do with them since they are all used. So I took some downstairs to put away. We'll use whats out until they wear out. Same with pot holders... I left one set of the mitt ones upstairs and put the rest away for when these get old. That leaves a small drawer in the kitchen free. I guess I'll find something to put in there when I start on the kitchen soon.

In breaking news I AM DONE SHREDDING! I never thought I would get done. 3 big bags of recycling and 2 bags of trash. I vacuumed the basement to get up all the debris. DH and I managed to cross off a few small things on our to do list too.

It's on to the kitchen now. I need to get some small command hooks. I am going to organize the measuring spoons & cups by putting them on the hooks inside a cabinet door.

I have a bunch of salsa jars and things like that (like a previous poster said) that I saved to projects that I have never used that I know I can get rid of.

I did already organize 2 cabinets with these recently
http://www.amazon.com/Variera-Organ...8&qid=1389387371&sr=8-1&keywords=ikea+variera
the bakeware cabinet and the pots/pans. It's made a world of difference. I've never been to an ikea because the closest one is like 2.5 hours away but I think they are like $5 there.

I had a kitchen canister full of box tops for education, huggies and pampers rewards, coke caps. I dumped them on the counter so I'd get a move on entering them so I can throw them away! (except for the box tops, of course)

That could also work as a jewelry organizer or a belt orgranizer.

 

[Therinian]

My husband and I ended 2013/began 2014 with a bonfire in our backyard. We burned a few logs in our fire bowl, but we also tossed in 10 years worth of old papers that were cluttering up our room. It took three hours to go through the box of things we didn't shred, and it made for a nice fire to roast marshmallows, haha.

This year, we are renovating our sitting room, which is currently our junk room. There are so many boxes of junk that need sorting in there, and I am scared to open them. I'm not worried about live critters, just memories that I don't want to let go of... but have to; it's the only way to turn our junk room into the library I've always wanted.

So, I will follow this thread, to see how you are all progressing, and try to keep myself on track.

 

[dpswift]

My husband and I ended 2013/began 2014 with a bonfire in our backyard. We burned a few logs in our fire bowl, but we also tossed in 10 years worth of old papers that were cluttering up our room. It took three hours to go through the box of things we didn't shred, and it made for a nice fire to roast marshmallows, haha.

This year, we are renovating our sitting room, which is currently our junk room. There are so many boxes of junk that need sorting in there, and I am scared to open them. I'm not worried about live critters, just memories that I don't want to let go of... but have to; it's the only way to turn our junk room into the library I've always wanted.

So, I will follow this thread, to see how you are all progressing, and try to keep myself on track.

Good luck with your library. DD has her eye on our junk room for a room for herself. It is hard to get rid of the memories but we need to focus on the future.

I have not gotten as much done as I had hoped. I am going to have to start pushing myself harder. This week I had me time for the first time in weeks so I was lazy. I have 2 bags ready to go to good will hopefully I can get a box together as well for DD to drop off next week.

 

[Debbie]

Peter Walsh Day 10: Declutter and Organize your wallets, purses and pocketbooks.

I just read this (9:30 pm), but I'm lucky because I did this last weekend when I changed purses and moved things into my new wallet that I got for Christmas.

 

[StephMK]

Peter Walsh Day 10: Declutter and Organize your wallets, purses and pocketbooks.

I just read this (9:30 pm), but I'm lucky because I did this last weekend when I changed purses and moved things into my new wallet that I got for Christmas.

I'm ok for this one too. I just did my purse/wallet shortly after Christmas. I need to transfer all my stuff to a new purse but there is much less to transfer now that it's cleaned out!

 

[dtr_angel]

It's quiet in here! Is everyone busy destashing this weekend?

I don't carry a purse now that I'm a mom, but I do switch back and forth between two "diaper bags" one is a Vera Bradley diaper bag, the other is the Vera Bradley mom's day out which is more purse size. I went through both of them and organized them and put stuff away. I went through my wallet but I keep it pretty organized. DH went through his wallet too.

January 11 Peter Walsh

I'M BETTING THERE ARE UFO's IN YOUR FREEZER! If you have Unidentified Frozen Objects (UFO's) cluttering your freezer then today is for you!! It's the weekend so no excuses .... take a deep breath and let's show your freezer who's boss!

Our freezers look good. We have a huge deep freezer in our basement. There are things in there that are freezer burnt but I won't throw them out to keep it full. If I need the room to add something else, then I will throw them out. I need to figure out something I can put in there to keep it full besides old food, lol.

So onto the kitchen today. DH helped me during DSs nap. The kitchen is pretty much done! I even went through the cabinet in the dining room. I put a lock on there to keep DS out (he did have access to it so it was just some plastic stuff he drags all over the floor) for the kitchen I still need to...

-junk drawer - that will be a full 1.5 hour nap project lol
-organize where I moved the foil/ziploc bags to. I just threw them in the cabinet to make sure they fit for now
-another large drawer that has the measuring spoons and stuff in it - need to get command hooks next time I go to walmart and then I can deal with the rest of the drawer
-the cabinet with the "plastic stuff" in it. We are constantly organizing this one but it never lasts long until we start throwing stuff in and ducking for cover. Maybe we can get rid of stuff to get it better

It's onto the bathroom after I complete the kitchen. The goal is to go through every room in the house and last will be the basement.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Peter Walsh Day 8: Clean out under ONE sink

Did that last week. I did the bathroom, now I need to do the kitchen.

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

Hey Girlfriend!! How are you? I miss you!! Life is just way to hectic!

We will get that basement squared away. One box and one section at a time.

Peter Walsh Day 9: Getting rid of digital clutter.

I do this regularly, my computer is full full full so I purge stuff a lot. Of course as soon as I did, 2 people asked me for Sports pics of their kids. Come on people, use your own camera!!!

This year, we are renovating our sitting room, which is currently our junk room. There are so many boxes of junk that need sorting in there, and I am scared to open them. I'm not worried about live critters, just memories that I don't want to let go of... but have to; it's the only way to turn our junk room into the library I've always wanted.

One box at a time. That's what I'm doing. Even if you don't empty the whole thing, you can condense.

Peter Walsh Day 10: Declutter and Organize your wallets, purses and pocketbooks.

Did that last weekend too. Receipts are an issue for me, I let them get stacked up in my wallet for to long.

It's quiet in here! Is everyone busy destashing this weekend?

January 11 Peter Walsh

I'M BETTING THERE ARE UFO's IN YOUR FREEZER! If you have Unidentified Frozen Objects (UFO's) cluttering your freezer then today is for you!! It's the weekend so no excuses .... take a deep breath and let's show your freezer who's boss!

I need to do this tomorrow so we can get back to the eating out of the freezer challenge. I need to inventory the basement freezer.

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

I have been decluttering for over a year. What did I recently find but a box of wedding invitations, the tissue for the cards, table assignments ect. wow. We will be married for 20 years this May.
I tend to declutter the same areas over and over but forget about the hidden stuff or the stuff out of site.
My DD did a major clean out Christmas night. She asked for help. What made her want to clean on Christmas night I will never know I joke it was a Christmas miracle. 1/3 of her room gone, 10 bags boxes ect.
Here is my problem 16 yo DS is so very disorganized. Anyone have any suggestions? I have helped him over and over and in no time you cannot walk in his room. We have cut down on the stuff and he just spreads. I was thinking of dumping his antique roll top desk in favor of a table and maybe a rolling cart for under the table for school supplies. Antiques have small work spaces. Short of renting a dumpster I am at a loss. Ps he does use all his stuff as he is a boyscout. They camp all year long so he needs different items for each season ect.

 

[Marshay]

Yes, I've been decluttering this weekend!

I was on the "one room a month" plan but found I finished my DR, bookshelves and FR very quickly so moved onto my closet. EEK!

Got 8 bags of clothes and shoes -- now I can start to find things - yay!! I know I should go back another time and destash again in my closet...I had a few things I was keeping that were "iffy"...

I will confirm with Purple Heart for 1/20 and can't wait to have everything out of here (~17 bags so far).

I also started the very scary Craft Room. The good news: I went through 11 drawers and I now have room again!! Felt good and was able to give the kids some supplies they will enjoy. I had 4 bags of trash, 1 bag donation to PH and 1 bag donation to my kids.

The bad news: I'm only about 5% done, if that. I have stuff everywhere in here -- floor, desk, drawers, closets, several rolling file cabinets, etc. This is the one room I am very embarrassed by...but at least I'm starting it!!

Keep going everyone!!

 

[Marshay]

I have been decluttering for over a year. What did I recently find but a box of wedding invitations, the tissue for the cards, table assignments ect. wow. We will be married for 20 years this May.
I tend to declutter the same areas over and over but forget about the hidden stuff or the stuff out of site.
My DD did a major clean out Christmas night. She asked for help. What made her want to clean on Christmas night I will never know I joke it was a Christmas miracle. 1/3 of her room gone, 10 bags boxes ect.
Here is my problem 16 yo DS is so very disorganized. Anyone have any suggestions? I have helped him over and over and in no time you cannot walk in his room. We have cut down on the stuff and he just spreads. I was thinking of dumping his antique roll top desk in favor of a table and maybe a rolling cart for under the table for school supplies. Antiques have small work spaces. Short of renting a dumpster I am at a loss. Ps he does use all his stuff as he is a boyscout. They camp all year long so he needs different items for each season ect.

I'm coming up on 16 years and I bet I still have my wedding invitations in the basement, too!

 

[dreamin_disney]

Count me in!!!.

I started cleaning up in my spare room. I bought a 3 case cookie/cupcake holder from Costco to use this Christmas. Its brand new and I didn't use it. I'm going to take it back and get a refund. I have tubs up in the closet for Holidays Valentine's, Easter, Halloween and Christmas. I'm going to go through the Valentine and Easter stuff and start making plans on gifts to make up for co workers and my goddaughter. My goal is to empty out both baskets for those two holidays.

Today I was looking for a large roasting pan for my ham. I realized my kitchen cabinets are a mess again. I need to go through and declutter my kitchenware.

The plan was to take dd shopping . She got a lot of money for her bday & Christmas but her room is a MESS!. I told her she can forget shopping. We will stay home and declutter the house. I'm also going to take away her new ipod and her electronics until she organizes her room.

I have a bunch of stuff listed on CL and I just lowered the prices. Hoping to make a little $$

January Goals
My goals for this month are
1. organize/declutter kitchen cabinets1/2 completed just have to go through pots/pans and tubberware :/
2. organize/declutter pantrycompleted-
3. organize/declutter my bakeware cabinet
4. organize/declutter spare room cabinet
5. Clean out undergarment/sock drawer-completed-ended up doing all drawers 27 items tossed out and 17 items to get rid

Dh's goal ( my goal for him)
1. Cleanout his junk drawer and find our passports!!!Never gets to sick but he's fighting a cold so he's been resting before he goes back to work on Monday.

DD's goal ( my goal for her)
1. clean/declutter/organize her roomShe's been working on it a little at a time. She's been sick with sore throat/cold


The ultimate goal for the year is to declutter the garage!!!!!!

Update:
Friday night 1/3/14- I got a lil burst of energy so I cleaned and organized my spice cabinet and finished up my pantry
We have been sick so we've been resting a lot and watching lots of tv :/
What I don't finish Jan/Feb I hope to get on it in March. I will have a week off and hopefully have a yardsale

Sunday night 1/6/2014
I'm so proud of DD. She got of 2 bags(its about 5 grocery bags size) of trash/junk/broken items. I had an empty box of printing paper and she filled that up with some of her old toys from years ago(shes 15-lol) She also got rid of a couple of other items that didn't fit in the box(old globe, small tv cart that hold her junk, Disney fairy checker box drawer, plus she has a box full of her old stuff animals. She still has a lot of stuff she needs to go through. She did tell me" mom I cant believe how much stuff I have"
She's also put a couple of bags of stuff in my spare room that I havent even looked in, eoh and a moon chair(I think that's what its called it fold up)
Taking away her ipad and ipod were a big motivation for her. She did a great job so today she can have her ipod/ipad for just today . Then she needs to finish up her room

Here is my problem 16 yo DS is so very disorganized. Anyone have any suggestions? I have helped him over and over and in no time you cannot walk in his room. We have cut down on the stuff and he just spreads. I was thinking of dumping his antique roll top desk in favor of a table and maybe a rolling cart for under the table for school supplies. Antiques have small work spaces. Short of renting a dumpster I am at a loss. Ps he does use all his stuff as he is a boyscout. They camp all year long so he needs different items for each season ect.

My DD15 is the same way, way to much stuff! I took away her ipod and ipad for a few days. The rule was she had to get rid of some stuff. I gave her a box she needed to fill up. I told her to get rid of stuff that
- didn't fit
-she no longer wears
-stuff she nolonger uses
-toys yes, I said toys she had things stuff everywhere she forgot about-lol!
of course she hasn't played with toys in years lol!

first day went by and she decided to watch tv, 2nd day she grabbed her ipod and was on it for 5 min before I noticed, I told her sorry no ipod until she decluttered some of her room, she decided to watch tv, by the 3rd morning, she got rid of a lot of stuff-lol! She still has a lot to go but I know its overwhelming so she earned her ipod/ipad back Plus all of her get rid of boxes and bags were going into my spare room and I don't want more stuff in there.

Maybe have your son fill up boxes, bags or give you piles of
-clothes that nolonger fit
-no longer wears
-1-2 grocery bags size of trash

plus a clear path way from door to his bed-lol! give him lil goals and take away his things he likes until goals are completed. Start with a few goal because it does get overwhelming
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I've been sick so I was stuck here at home in bed most of the time off I had
I was tempted to tell dh take everything to goodwill!!!! But with springbreak coming in March I want to have a yardsale and try making some money even if I have to sell cheap. we got invited to san diego in March so any extra cash will be great.

I cleared off my spare room table. I'm going to clean up the hot spots in my den, then hit another cabinet.
I took a peek and so far I see a few things I 'm going to get rid of
-old coffee maker
- electric fyer
-coffee and saucer boxed gift dd won still in box
-old ice tea maker (we got two as gifts
-I have a few boxed items up on top of cabinet but its to high to reach