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2012 in 2012

30K views 1K replies 88 participants last post by  MrsMike 
#1 ·
As I sit here lining out all the various projects and challenges I am planning for the next year I decided to go ahead and start the new thread for this next year for those who are gung ho for a major decluttering challenge. I realize it's a few days early, but now I can have a link to refer back to from my main projects/challenges list!!

So, here we go!! I had to give up on this year's challenge cause of all kinds of stuff, but I totally am planning on making the 2012 goal. I've already got some stuff that needs to go to various places sitting in my garage that will be the start of my 2012 items!!
 
#777 ·
PJ Bottoms

Network Cable

3 Children's Books

Coax Cable

Plastic Easter Egg

Computer Power Cord

Misc. Cord

Yarn w/ Knitting Needles

4 Pens

Pencil

Extension Cord

2 Easter Baskets

Easter Grass

Power Strip

Huge Mirror

5 Knob Covers my toddler figured out immediately

Table & 4 Chairs

Computer

Sauce Pan Lid

Baggy of File Tabs

3 Polly Pocket Play Sets

Phone Cord

4 Flyers

Artwork

2 Vases

Plastic Container

Broken Melissa & Doug Dust Pan

8 Cards

11 Boxes

Rescued 1 Forever Stamp on an envelope that never got mailed

67 + 1336 = 1403/2012

$68 + $78 = $146
 
#778 ·
Plastic bowl
Bath salts
Yoga Book
Sunglasses
Plastic cup
clothing items 28
Scented soap
Garage 6
Recipe cards 2
2 tennis rackets
3 camping chairs
2 martini glasses
Wine aerater thingy
2 Magazine
2 Stack of papers
Belt
Jacket
Ratty underwear
Magnet
Pack of papers
Garage 20
Pjs
Random sock
Bag of garbage from ds room
Bag of donate stuff from ds room
Plastic cup
35 books
Lunch box
Plastic bowl
Sock
Bracelet broken
Pen linght
8 clothing items
Book
Neti pot
Bulb thingy for ears/nose irrigation
Expired meds
Plastic cup
2 Sty reform cup & lids
2 plastic container
2 Vacuum attachment
Sheet
35 books

Totals:
158 in April
691/2012
 
#780 ·
Weekend Decluttering:

Tackled the mending basket--6 items back in useful service, 3 reevaluated as too far gone and turned into rags

4 pairs too small little girls undies trashed

Weeded out really small scraps from fabric stash and tossed: I'll count as 4 items gone (but seriously more like 30+ odd ball small amounts of fabric).

17 little crapity pieces of junky broken toys/crafts from kitchen and living room

1 pair shoes to thrift shop

1 pair outgrown pjs to thrift shop

23 misc papers from 1st grade recycled...usually I don't count this, but was astounded at the sheer # worksheets that came home this week (hello visual evidence of teacher laziness as school year winds down)

4 spools of almost-gone thread used up and recycled (evidence of actual sewing time--yay!)

Weekend subtotal: 57

Need to Tackle:

Basement storage shelves...working on it slowly...still!

Outgrown winter gear...looking to get past winter weather to complete this....snowed all last week and stuck all weekend....NEED SPRING!

Clothes--sort and pare down (x 5 people)...ongoing!

Goals/Motivation/Needs

Dedicated space for home office and sewing/craft studio

Stop wasting time/energy looking for things

Save $$ by using what we already have

Set better examples of organization for children

More productive in work and leisure activities

Running Total: 459/2012 & pocketed $89
 
#781 ·
Its finally garage sale time! I'm pricing items and getting them all ready! Technically nothing has left yet, BUT this is the best opportunity I have to catalog what I'm getting rid of. And since its all going whether it sells or not, I'm not worried about misrepresentation. If it doesn't sell, its getting hauled to Goodwill the same day. So here is the list of stuff I've gone through so far:

1 diaper bag

10 DVDs

1 fake Dopplar

46 assorted books

3 pregnancy books

10 cookbooks

27 stuffed animals

1 Wii accessory

33 misc infant toys

37 kid books

1 Barbie outfit (yetch)

1 dry erase calendar

1 crib comforter

1 wallpaper border

6 receiving blankets

4 baby blankets

2 blankets

7 crib sheets

3 lap pads

=194 items

old total 188/2012

new total 382/2012
 
#784 ·
1 3 5 6 9 medicine droppers, holy crap i keep finding more everywhere i turn!

1 pile of recipts

1 pile of artwork

1 dog kennel candle holder (given to my by the most clutterous woman i know, my great aunt)

1 ratty pair of ds's underwear

1 pair of underwear too small for me :(

1 pile of papers

1 bubble mailer

1 dried up marker

3 baggies

1 hair binder

1 pair of hospital socks

1 broken glass globe

5 items of clothing

1 scarf

1 pair of jeans to the trash

= 34 (combined with 4 from last post i didn't count in my total yet)

=706

34.7% done!
 
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#786 ·
Well, it looks like my decluttering just reached a new level - one I'm not particularly happy about. One of our rooms is infested with mice droppings (and mice) - the room that is currently housing ALL of our stuff that is yet to be packed. We've caught three mice in the last two days and there are still a couple at least, roaming around. :(

I feel like throwing everything out, but I have so many goods in there that I can no longer purchase. Books that are out of print, lego that is no longer in production, clothes from my own childhood etc

I feel so icky and sad! What would you wash or throw away? I have books packed in bubble wrap.. the bubble wrapped books were put a plastic garbage bag that was a bit loose and they were sitting in a box that was 'closed' but not sealed. The box had mouse droppings on it. I did not check the plastic garbage bag for mouse droppings as the bag is black and the only way to check would be to shake the bag (which I'm not willing to do). The bubble wrap and the books themselves didn't have droppings on them. Can I assume they are safe? Would you throw them out? I worry about cross contamination and colonization - like the bacteria from the poop spreading around and beyond the actual poop.

Lego boxes with poop on them but the contents inside are new in lego manufacturing sealed bags (i.e unopened)... Keep and wash? I'm probably bordering on paranoia but I'm so grossed out right now.

As far as I know, we don't have Hanta Virus cases in Australia. Some believe that's due to it not being correctly diagnosed as we do have Hanta Virus positive rodents being bought in from asia. So a lot of my concern is being based on the fact that the poop may contain the virus. I'd like to 'pretend' it does and take the proper precautions (just in case it really does).
 
#787 ·
More goodies:

31 pairs of shoes (!!)

2 sets of blocks

2 pictures

2 outdated calendars

1 alarm clock

1 set of Cyclebeads

3 sets of drumsticks

1 drum key

1 drum pad

1 flag

3 baby bottles

3 items of Christmas decor

1 door shoe holder

1 computer game

1 tummy time pad

5 toys

1 coffee pot

1 microwave

1 toaster oven

1 decorative rag doll

4 books

16 Precious Moments collectibles

4 porcelain figurines

Total: 87

Old total: 382/2012

New total: 469/2012
 
#788 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by LoveOurBabies View Post

Well, it looks like my decluttering just reached a new level - one I'm not particularly happy about. One of our rooms is infested with mice droppings (and mice) - the room that is currently housing ALL of our stuff that is yet to be packed. We've caught three mice in the last two days and there are still a couple at least, roaming around. :(

I feel like throwing everything out, but I have so many goods in there that I can no longer purchase. Books that are out of print, lego that is no longer in production, clothes from my own childhood etc

I feel so icky and sad! What would you wash or throw away? I have books packed in bubble wrap.. the bubble wrapped books were put a plastic garbage bag that was a bit loose and they were sitting in a box that was 'closed' but not sealed. The box had mouse droppings on it. I did not check the plastic garbage bag for mouse droppings as the bag is black and the only way to check would be to shake the bag (which I'm not willing to do). The bubble wrap and the books themselves didn't have droppings on them. Can I assume they are safe? Would you throw them out? I worry about cross contamination and colonization - like the bacteria from the poop spreading around and beyond the actual poop.

Lego boxes with poop on them but the contents inside are new in lego manufacturing sealed bags (i.e unopened)... Keep and wash? I'm probably bordering on paranoia but I'm so grossed out right now.

As far as I know, we don't have Hanta Virus cases in Australia. Some believe that's due to it not being correctly diagnosed as we do have Hanta Virus positive rodents being bought in from asia. So a lot of my concern is being based on the fact that the poop may contain the virus. I'd like to 'pretend' it does and take the proper precautions (just in case it really does).
Personally, I'd wash up whatever I could with soap and water, being sure to keep my away from my face, maybe going so far as to wear a mask. Things that the droppings could work into though and live within the fibers, like fabric, I'd toss. If a lego box just needed a good wipe down, that'd be ok. But if its coated inside and out, I'd toss the box. I'd keep the books, no worries. Maybe use a damp cloth to wipe them down, but I doubt anything got on em.

My two cents, but I am by no means a cleaning specialist. Sorry about the mice. Its so dang frustrating, those boogers sneak in everywhere!! :(
 
#789 ·
Things that left the house:

jeans

2 serving dishes

1 router box

6 bath toys

electric razor

shirt

traffic signs

lantern

5lb weight

flip flops

nalgene

firefighter helmet

crayons

window stick

diaper cover

ice pack

maternity pants

twin sheet

robe

bowl

socks

playdough thing

(28)

Things that came in the house: (from my last and final trip to my grandma's house to help her move)

2 swim rings

2 shirts

bike

2 pair maternity pants

soap dispenser

5 books

markers

1 freezer jar

2 vases

water bottle

airsoft gun

chair pillow

pj pants

bath rug

5 toys

basket

baby sleeper

1 mixing bowl

3 couch pillows

pitcher

duck

6 kitchen towels

baking dish

crock pot

4 pillowcases

binoculars

cleaning cloth

2 picnic blankets

2 flashlights

ceramic bowl

ceramic jar

apron - kids

air mattress

pump

2 hand towels

wind chime

lunch bag

car game

puzzle

tablet

2 little bags

7 kids jewelry

shield

we own 494 less things than we did on Jan 1st.

sold more dishes +$45

$373.50
 
#790 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3xMama View Post

Personally, I'd wash up whatever I could with soap and water, being sure to keep my away from my face, maybe going so far as to wear a mask. Things that the droppings could work into though and live within the fibers, like fabric, I'd toss. If a lego box just needed a good wipe down, that'd be ok. But if its coated inside and out, I'd toss the box. I'd keep the books, no worries. Maybe use a damp cloth to wipe them down, but I doubt anything got on em.

My two cents, but I am by no means a cleaning specialist. Sorry about the mice. Its so dang frustrating, those boogers sneak in everywhere!! :(
Thanks so much mama!
smile.gif
I've decided to keep the books (I'm a bit of a germ freak) and even though there were no droppings on them, I wiped them down with a bleach solution.

I found some information that might be helpful for anyone facing these critters.

http://www.ibiblio.org/archives-archivists/msg03840.html

We caught a live (baby) mouse tonight and released it far away. Couldn't bring it in me to destroy it once I saw it cowered in the corner.
duck.gif
 
#792 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by SomethingAnonymous View Post

Oh I wouldn't be able to kill it either. Especially since we have pet rats lol. I always use live traps if the need ever arises.
Pet rats? That's ambitious lol

My dh made up a live trap and all four that we have caught so far have been caught with it. I have a hard time enough killing roaches, let alone something furry that squeeks.

It didn't help when two of my kids came to the trapped mouses' aid with some freshly buttered bread.
rolleyes.gif
 
#794 ·
I had pet rats in high school and absolutely loved them! I'd get more in a heartbeat if I had the space. They were really awesome pets.

New items out:

1 baby swing

3-3 ring binders

1 organizer

4 yarn skeins

21 stuffed animals

2 totes

1 king size mattress pad

3 Mr. Potato Heads

8 Potato Head accessory kits

55 additional random accessories

1 bag of very old diapers

10 plates

15 misc toys/small books

2 pair shoes

1 steamer

2 baby bottles

3 tins

1 coffee grinder

19 misc small kitchen gadgets

1 travel mug

8 mugs

1 plastic crate

2 filing cabinets

1 pillow

2 bags random closet garbage

total: 168

old total: 469/2012

new total: 637/2012
joy.gif
broke 500!!

Tonight, I'm sorting through all the baby clothes! That should add a really healthy number to my total!
thumb.gif
 
#795 ·
Quick question: We rent from my FIL. The garage if full of his crap, mostly stuff that he no longer wants. In theory, he and DH will go through it all this week to clean the garage up for our garage sale in a few weeks (I say in theory because he was supposed to do this when he first moved out three years ago and has promised to do it yearly ever since
eyesroll.gif
). Since that junk has been taking up room in my garage for so long, can I count it as it will be stuff out of my house??? Or because its technically not *mine*, I shouldn't count it???
headscratch.gif
 
#797 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3xMama View Post

Quick question: We rent from my FIL. The garage if full of his crap, mostly stuff that he no longer wants. In theory, he and DH will go through it all this week to clean the garage up for our garage sale in a few weeks (I say in theory because he was supposed to do this when he first moved out three years ago and has promised to do it yearly ever since
eyesroll.gif
). Since that junk has been taking up room in my garage for so long, can I count it as it will be stuff out of my house??? Or because its technically not *mine*, I shouldn't count it???
headscratch.gif
You can count anything you want :) And especially since it's going to free up a lot of space in your house and it's been there awhile, I'd count it.
 
#798 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3xMama View Post

Quick question: We rent from my FIL. The garage if full of his crap, mostly stuff that he no longer wants. In theory, he and DH will go through it all this week to clean the garage up for our garage sale in a few weeks (I say in theory because he was supposed to do this when he first moved out three years ago and has promised to do it yearly ever since
eyesroll.gif
). Since that junk has been taking up room in my garage for so long, can I count it as it will be stuff out of my house??? Or because its technically not *mine*, I shouldn't count it???
headscratch.gif
I would count it as it has been sitting in your house for well over two years.
thumb.gif
 
#800 ·
5 clothing items

cleaned out the car for...

1 bag full of papers/art/reciepts/mail, recycled

1 garbage bag of stuff

1 broken kids window shade

3 plastic restaurant cups, recycled

2 pieces of twine (still there from the christmas tree tied to our roof *blush*)

4 hair ties to my sister

AND (hooray!!!)

8 sewing repair projects finished and out of the repair bin!

so far today...
 
#801 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by LoveOurBabies View Post

It didn't help when two of my kids came to the trapped mouses' aid with some freshly buttered bread.
rolleyes.gif
that is so cute :)
 
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