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August declutter challenge - Page 4

post #61 of 222
8/4/07 at 5:30pm
I think I need to join up again. My last declutter challenge was in Feb. I'm happy to say that I don't have lots of things to actually get rid of but I have some areas in the house that could use a major declutter/organizing. Namely, the "junk" drawer, the computer desk, closet, and bathroom drawers. Oh, and where I stack bills, letters, etc. So that's it. Now I just need some m o t i v a t i o n!

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post #62 of 222
8/4/07 at 7:48pm
Filled up most of the back of my mother's car for Goodwill this morning (she was taking a few boxes of books there herself). And I already have another box half full from this afternoon! Hooray!
post #63 of 222
8/4/07 at 9:20pm



Hello! I've never done a decluttering chalange before. I have major needs! I have a friend moving in in about 3 weeks. Her son will take the office as his room.I have already moved the computer stuff up stairs.


I like the X # of things per day. I think I will strive for 25 items per room. Is this doable or is this too big?

I am open to tips and sugestions.
post #64 of 222
8/4/07 at 10:26pm

Progress!!!!!!

I spent several hours in my office/guest room today (the aforementioned Secret Shame). I have results!

1. We had a giant plastic box of cords and cables and adapters and stereo wire, etc. that my DH swears we will need someday and I can't get rid of. They were all jammed/stuffed in there, tangled up, and you had to dump out the whole box and untangle a million wires to get one cord. You can just imagine.

I untangled them and coiled them up and secured each one with a zip tie and sorted them out by type, put them in giant baggies, and stored them back in the box.

Voila:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8671453...n/photostream/

2. Box of documents...similar situation. I found my mortgage!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8671453...n/photostream/

I recycled/tossed a bunch of envelopes, junk mail, crap, etc...nothing worth mentioning actually left the house, but I still feel like this counts as significant progress.



Holly
post #65 of 222
8/4/07 at 10:31pm
Holly, that box of cords is amazing! Will you come organize my boxes of random objects?
post #66 of 222
8/5/07 at 12:10am
Yes, I will do it for a vegan cupcake!

Cuz, y'know, vegan cupcakes take over the world...

Holly
post #67 of 222
8/5/07 at 1:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KnockedUpButtercup View Post
Cuz, y'know, vegan cupcakes take over the world...

Holly
I know--that's my plan! Mwahahahahahaha!

Anyhoo, on to today's decluttering! I added some scented oils to the bag of stuff I'm giving to a friend, and I'm trying to Freecycle a couple other things.

It's almost impossible to find a new home for old cell phone chargers, isn't it? My DH had a cell phone his old job provided, and he gave back the phone, but forgot to take back the charger. Turns out they don't want it, anyway. So now what? In the past, Freecyclers haven't wanted them . . . . We shall see this time.

Total: 14/93
post #68 of 222
8/5/07 at 1:53am
For the cell phone charger, what about cell phones for soldiers. According to their site they accept old phones,chargers, and accessories. This page tells how, and you can print a postage paid label to mail them in even.

And I want well organized boxes of random cords. We have a storage tub like that (before it looks so pretty and organized )
post #69 of 222
8/5/07 at 2:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by queencarr View Post
For the cell phone charger, what about cell phones for soldiers. According to their site they accept old phones,chargers, and accessories. This page tells how, and you can print a postage paid label to mail them in even.
Queencarr, you've just made my day! Thanks! (Off to print mailing label!)
post #70 of 222
8/5/07 at 9:06am
Yesterday I managed to clean off my desk, and I got rid of waaaaaay more than 10 items if you count a paper as an item. I think I will just count the desk as 10, however, because I didn't really keep track of how much stuff I threw away/recycled. It was a lot. Today I need to hit the toys here in my front room.

Wish me luck!
post #71 of 222
8/5/07 at 11:16am
Ok, today I am going to tackle the junk drawer and cupboard. I like the idea of taking pics so I'll be taking before and after pics.

KnockedupButtercup - Great organizing! I reeeeeeally need to do that here in the office. Right now I just have a box with a bunch of cords thrown into it.

Good Luck superstella!
post #72 of 222
8/5/07 at 11:19am
Oh, and I have some old batteries that I need to recycle. Does anyone have the website to find out where I can bring them locally?
post #73 of 222
8/5/07 at 10:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eco_mama View Post
Oh, and I have some old batteries that I need to recycle. Does anyone have the website to find out where I can bring them locally?
Try earth911.org to find local recycling centers for almost anything.
post #74 of 222
8/5/07 at 11:56pm
20 items so far today. When I get off my rear to unpack some more I have a feeling I will be adding more.


63/200
post #75 of 222
8/5/07 at 11:56pm
VeganCupcake, glad I could help
post #76 of 222
8/6/07 at 2:10am
I thought it would be impossible, but I managed (in just a few minutes!) to find 4 more things to get rid of!

So I'm at 18/93!
post #77 of 222
8/6/07 at 10:03am
I got some decluttering done, but not in my basement where I need it most! But stuff gone is stuff gone. One large garbage bag full of clothes off to Goodwill.

I bought myself a desk to use for work, and dh and I put it together yesterday. We got it all set up and dh said "Take a good look because this is the last time you'll see the top of it!" Here's to trying to keep it uncluttered!
post #78 of 222
8/6/07 at 10:22am
Last night I threw away 52 dessert recipes I'd clipped from magazines & newspapers but had never tried. Some of them were purely aspirational -- things I'd never actually have the time or skill to make... maybe I was hanging on to them as part of my 'ideal' version of myself? It was very, very freeing to be able to say "You know what? This cheesecake recipe takes 2 hours of hands-on time and requires tools and pans I don't have. It's not happening!"

Without getting overly dramatic, it had some elements of accepting who I am and what I can do... and throwing away some unreasonable expectations for myself.

Anyway, not done purging the recipe collection but I'll call the 52 recipes "5 items" for the purposes of the challenge.
post #79 of 222
8/6/07 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by VeganCupcake View Post
Try earth911.org to find local recycling centers for almost anything.
awesome. thank you!
post #80 of 222
8/6/07 at 2:38pm
Well I hadn't had time to join this month yet, but I had set a goal of 100 items, until I hit an anti-clutter mood this weekend. I am around 300-400/100, guess I should up my goal.

I have several hundred things that were either so worn out that they weren't worth saving and a bunch of stuff for a garage sale I am doing after right after the first of September. I have several of the huge rubbermaids that were crammed full of stuff that used to define me and they are empty or full of sale or donate stuff. I am so happy.

You may also like:

Sitting or Squatting: What's Really Best in the Bathroom?
There Is Not Always a "Fix" For the Difficult Child
10 Things You Don't Need For a New Baby