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End of Year Decluttering Challenge, Anyone?? - Page 2

post #21 of 32
12/16/05 at 7:23pm
what an awesome thread! I will totally get rid of some junk in my bedroom. In fact I'm committed to painting the bedroom between the holidays so I can feel like I have a cave... this momma bear needs a cave... dark blue and no junk and new curtains in our bedroom.

anyway, happy clearing to all of you and by the way..if some of you have some Gently used clothes and toys.. don't just give them away... we have some moms in need here at MDC.. and they want your GU toys and clothes and cloth diapers for their children.

take a look, do you have something that fits?

http://www.spatulagirl.com/gentlyused.htm

here's the general thread about our MINS (Mother in Need)

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=373747

(Just so you know I sent 27 pounds in a 16x16x16 box fedex ground and it only cost me 14.) So, nice to recycle my son's nice clothes and other stuff to these mommies...and got rid of stuff too!!

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post #22 of 32
12/17/05 at 5:02pm
Tracy - I love that you shared those links. Thank you for doing that! I had already looked through spatulagirl's list once, but it was good to take another peek. As this is our first babe, I have no outgrown clothes or toys to share... And my clothes and my husband's clothes don't match anyone who is currently on spatulagirl's list.

As much as I had to admit it, most of my "stuff" is just that... stuff! Certainly not anything on anyone's wish list...

Here's the rundown on what went into the goodwill box yesterday. A hand-painted pitcher and 4 matching hand-painted glasses (wedding gift that we haven't used in 2 1/2 years!), 4 mugs, and a bizarre housewarming gift (round glass bowl with candles to float in the center). Those are my 10 items for yesterday. We'll see what I can find today...
post #23 of 32
12/17/05 at 5:16pm
I took some baby steps this week. I went through and found a bunch of hats, gloves, scarves, boots and a jacket that I'm donating to a local winter clothing drive. I also weeded enough sweaters to fill a trash bag and I will be donating those too.
post #24 of 32
12/17/05 at 8:38pm
Wow Impressive Mamas! Since I have been on a declutter kick for about 2 years now, it takes us very little time. BUT, we are having an u/s after the first of the year and if we are having a boy- out goes the girls clothing. If not, its a bonus baby as dh says.

So I may start a new year challenge. I have done some of the challenges before (like this past summer) and it really works!!
post #25 of 32
12/17/05 at 9:07pm
We're totally in! We're actually moving from an 11 room double-wide (2bd/2ba) to a 4 room (1bd/1ba) apartment for the new year so we'll be getting rid of all we can!!!

Packing and purging is so hard to do with a 1 month old though. I'm thinking I'll ask some older ladies to come over and hold dd while I go through things during the week. It goes faster if I don't wear her bc I'm still getting used to babywearing and I cannot stand putting her down for much time at all (if any when possible...)

love and peace.
post #26 of 32
12/18/05 at 10:52pm
Thread Starter 

We win!!

I'm the one who started this thread and I have to say that my husband and I have won the challenge. Though not in a way I'd hope that anyone would emulate.

Our house burned down last night (after I had spent the entire day decluttering the living room!!). So we are now practically possession free. I'd say that's about the fastest way to do some major decluttering. You find how little the possessions really matter (though 3 of our 4 animals died in the fire and those matter quite a lot in actuallity).

We've been blessed with some wonderful church members, Air Force family support, family members (including extended that I haven't spoken to in years) and neighbors who have been so incredibly kind to us, helping us in more ways than we can count. Though we currently don't need anything that I can think of, I am asking for one thing, your prayers. We are in desperate need of the strength and comfort that can be brought to our lives through prayers.

Thank you and keep decluttering the usual way! I'd still love to hear that ya'll are keeping up with the challenge!!
post #27 of 32
12/19/05 at 8:21am
RiBe ccaLin - I am SO sad to hear about your housefire. And I'm so sorry about the loss of your pets. You have SUCH a positive attitude - and I am so thankful that you and your husband are safe and sound, surrounded by amazing friends and family.

I commit to praying - and I will watch to see if you update us at all in the coming weeks. PM me if you have specific prayer requests.

Many blessings to you.

Everyone Else - After RiBeccaLin's update, I feel particularly ashamed to be complaining about the stuff I haven't gotten around to pitching... I just need to make sure to pitch the trash, donate the nice items and share with whoever is in need. And today (since I'm wide awake at 6:20am) is a great day to see if I can double my goal. 20 items out the door today. Wish me luck!
post #28 of 32
12/20/05 at 1:13am
Um.. wow... about the fire... what's scary is that dh and I have been saying that a big fire would make our downsizing move so much easier

Be careful what you wish for?

We did sign the papers on the 1 bedroom apartment yesterday so now we're really committed! We've definitely gotten rid of (or put in boxes or bags to get rid of) more than 160 items now though!

So many more to go... I wish we'd gotten the fire instead...

love and peace.
post #29 of 32
12/20/05 at 9:55am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by trmpetplaya
Um.. wow... about the fire... what's scary is that dh and I have been saying that a big fire would make our downsizing move so much easier
I don't know how much easier this will actually be! Now we have so many people collecting things for us, I think me might very well have more stuff after the fire than before!! It's amazing how a tragedy can bring people together and it most definatly has brought out the best in so many people around us. I can't tell ya'll how truly blessed we have been! It's beyond words.

Quote:
Originally Posted by trmpetplaya
We did sign the papers on the 1 bedroom apartment yesterday so now we're really committed! We've definitely gotten rid of (or put in boxes or bags to get rid of) more than 160 items now though!
YEAH FOR YOU what an awesome start you're going to have on the new year!!! And it will definately make moving a lot easier. Congrats!! and keep it up!!
post #30 of 32
12/21/05 at 12:13pm
I'm in... not sure I can do 16 items a day since I started late, but I'll definitely sign on for 10 items per day.

I am working from home today and can't wait for lunchtime so that I can get to decluttering!! I just can't decide where to start first!

So sorry about the fire. It is an amazing testament of character that you are able to say that you feel so extremely blessed just after a major personal tragedy. My thoughts are with you!

Blessings,
Amy
post #31 of 32
12/21/05 at 4:00pm
RiBe ccaLin ~ I am so very sorry about your housefire. And I am very sorry about the loss of your pets. I know that every pet I have ever had is a part of my family and losing them is heartbreaking. I'm glad that you and your dh are safe and sound. And it is amazing how positive you are! Please keep us updated.
post #32 of 32
12/28/05 at 10:56pm
Wow, I'm sorry to hear about your fire. I read your post to dh and he said "wow, if we could be that blessed and positive" about the chaos we call our junk.

Just found the thread and while I'm LATE to the challenge, I'm going to go for a box a day (big boxes here!) to goodwill. First box is filled and by the back door ready to go. And it really is useless to most people, so goodwill can sell it and use the cash for whatever they use it for.

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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Natural Family Living › The Mindful Home › Decluttering, Organizing, & Simplifying › End of Year Decluttering Challenge, Anyone??