Not quite a horder - decluttering

Teka

^..^

3jaysmom

im still plugging away.. a little bit at a time, its getting sorted, and donated, or tossed. much slower than some of you.. but remember Meece: we can't do it everyday, the point is to live our lives.. it didn't happen in a week, and its not going away in a week, either....3jays

Blessings2011

Do I go to the gym and work out (haven't been in two weeks thanks to my broken thumb!) or do I get in my closet and start sorting out clothes to give away?

Neither option seems appealing to me today....but I really should do one or the other.

Or maybe I should just relax with a good book?

Anonymous

Blessings2011, which won out? 

I've been goofing off as usual.  Exercising and then sitting doing nothing.  Still haven't called the painters because once I commit to a date I really will have to get into motion. 

Gingerbrew

I have a pile of stuff out of my closet to sort or hang back up but why must I wait a day or more to actually then DO IT!    

Ginger

Meece

Tomorrow, I must get something accoplished tomorrow!

Gingerbrew

Meece, I think there is a song in that.

Blessings2011

patoo - I relaxed with a good book!

Then I promised DH a bike ride after dinner, but had trouble keeping my eyes open and went to lie down just for a bit at 6:30 p.m. I ended up taking a 3 hour nap!!!!

Ah, well, tomorrow's another day, right?

GramE

I have scheduled the carpet cleaner for next week.   This means some heavy duty decluttering since I am in a one bedroom apartment.   The hallways in and building are being done and they are giving a big discount if you get your carpet done at the same time.    A good incentive for me.   

amontro

I found this thread and I haven't read it all (just the first page).  I just moved into a smaller apartment, so I threw away a lot!  I put away what's left in a pile of boxes and tubs and I found places for these items in my new apt.  However, I've reached a plateau.  I still have boxes with framed pictures ( some were gifts from a recent birthday party), snapshots with wonderful memories, and other odds and ends.

I don't have a computer (I'm using the one at work right now), so I can't save this stuff that way.

Actually, I think I've become frustrated and overwhelmed and that's why I can't move along right now.  My family has done way too much with helping me move, and my daughter is the one who organized the apt. in the first place, so I can't ask for more.

All I need is some extra incentive, maybe from you guys, to prod me into finding places for what's left of my stuff.  Thanks for letting me vent.

Teka

^..^

Gingerbrew

Hi Amontro.  One suggestion only put out the things that make you happy.

Ginger

Teka

^..^

Meece

My problem is just about anything and everything makes me happy.

Kaara

Meece:  Nothing wrong with an attitude like that:)  I try and keep an attitude of gratitude daily...it's so much better for your health.

Meece

I really wish I had the energy to declutter when I get home from work.  I just feel like I jsut want to sit down and that's it.

Anonymous

Meece, that makes 2 of us.  Hard to do anything around here during the week.  It takes all my strength just to put things in the dishwasher! 

Meece

Of all things I threw my shoulder out today.  It hurt when I got to work, then increased all day long.  I realized when I tried to unzip my dress that that is probably the culprit.  So I soaked in the tub and now have icy hot on.  Not great aroma therapy for bedtime.  So I couldn't declutter today.  I did manage to dust the diningroom and vacuum left handed though.  Tomorrow I will see what else I can manage left-handed.

Kaara

Meece:  Sorry about your shoulder.  I've had problems with both of mine for the last two years and finally they are getting back to normal.  I've been playing golf again and so far so good.  Maybe a good massage would help if it doesn't clear up right away.

Soon I'm going to begin packing for the trip up to NC for the summer.  I'm determined not to take so much this year...not a lot of dressing up in the mountains...just jeans and shorts most of the time, and some travel clothes for the trips we make.  I will have to go through all my clothes up there and get rid of the ones that are too big for me like I've done in Florida, but it won't be a big job because I've kept it simple...just the bare minimum.

Have a good day everyone! 

amontro

The guilt is slowly going away. I have already taken all of your advice.  The packed boxes, etc., are still in my bedroom waiting for homes, but my living room is a lovely respite for me.  It's clear of clutter and I use candles and scents when I'm home relaxing.  My kitchen is pretty organized, too.  It's tough when you have a full time job, Stage IV on top of that, and then you have to worry about decluttering.  Thanks for the encouragement.

Meece

Very impressive, Amontro. De-cluttering does bring such a relaxing feeling, I don't know why it is so hard for us to do it.

We had a banquet to go to last night at one of the schools my DH works at.  It was for the FFA and I was so impressed with the behavior of the chapter officers and how ladylike the girls were.  It was so nice, DH was awarded and "Honorary Chapter Degree", and the kids treated us like VIPs at the banquet.  There is hope for the future if these youth are an example.

BUT...

I didn't do a doggone thing in the house yesterday.  We are committed to go to DH's GS's t-ball game this morning, so probably not a lot getting done today either.  

pegnie

Hi again all.  I think I found a place for my children's books.  There's a place in Atlanta that sends kids' books to Africa.  I just have to get organized to box them and mail them.

Speaking of boxes, any suggestions on where to get them.  Free would be good.  If I have to buy them, oh well.  They are expensive at the UPS store.

Tks. for help.  Peggy

luvmygoats

Peggy - Might not be your first choice of places to frequent but liquor stores usually have some.  IF we ever move again, don't know really where to get them.  But now that I reread your post guess liquor boxes would be a very BAD idea for childrens' books.  I know book boxes need to be heavy duty if big or smaller boxes which would drive up the cost.  Half Price Books might be in Atlanta esp. useful if there is any collector value to them.  IF not, they usually have a donation box for shelters, etc.  And then again you just might be able to donate straight to the local womens' shelters or as someone suggested literacy projects.  I am a hospice nurse and always have trouble when I do pick up a NH pt who is lucid and a reader.  Might be a suggestion to check with your local nursing homes.  Might entertain some wild child there to visit.  'Course most just entertain themself with Mama's cell phone games.  Hope something I suggested helps.  I know books/mags are my downfall.  I myself weaned off of HP Books for months until I read some mags at eye dr. and wanted the recipes.  Thankfully found them and left only I think $10 lighter in the wallet.  Not bad for me and only that once.  Being too busy to shop is at times helpful.

Declutter - Oh, one day when I don't work/drive/do paperwork 60+ hours a week.  Just extremely glad my rads end next week.  Waiting for 3 day holiday weekend.  But will prob. pay for it after as will have extra pts/day to see for day off.  And on call next Friday night as well as the next week.  At least I can sleep in on Saturdays to make up.

Love reading here for inspiration.

MinusTwo

Hope you don't mind my jumping in.  I've been lurking & really like your ideas & incentive. Peggy:  I've given up on Half Price Books.  The pittance they pay is not worth the time.  I take my used books to the local library.  If they put the books on the shelves - great.  But I'm just as happy if they put them in their book sales to raise funds for more library benefits.

As for boxes, the liquor store boxes are really the best.  I've also purchased boxes from U-Haul & they were cheaper than UPS or Office Depot.

Meece

Yesterday we had a T-ball game to attend at 11, and afterward we traveled to the Central Coats wine region to pick up some wine.  So, before we left for the game I decluttered my greenhouse.  A winter of collection anything I could stack on any flat surface.  It looks so nice now.  I think this afternoon might produce some decluttering inside the house.  I think I will try to work in the office.  Got to head to church and my babies first.

Blessings2011

We are slowly getting the back patio cleaned off.

I had to grit my teeth and let go of all my Martha Stewart Living magazines dating back to 2005. I think I am genetically unable to let go of magazines.

Also, my memory is so bad, I can pick up an old magazine, and it's like I've never seen it before! Oh, joy!

So last evening, I sat in a patio chair, going through boxes of old magazines for a few hours, and now our recycle bin is almost full. My nose is also full of dust and dirt, but hey - that's the price we pay!

I'm thinking of transferring my magazine subscriptions to my iPad. That way, all the info is there if I need it, without needing storage space.

pegnie

Thanks all re boxes.  Yes, liquor store boxes are good, espec. if they still have the dividers.  I mean for china for ex., not books.  But today I bought six medium size boxes at Walmart - recycled cardboard - for $.66 apiece.  I think that will help me a lot as long as they keep stocking them. 

Teka

^..^

Kaara

LOL...that's a funny one!

3jaysmom

teka: great pic!!!still laughing.

  i was busy the last two days.. went to back porch, found out its a mess 'casue DH stored some christmas stuff, instead of in the attic, like he's "sworn" he'd put it.. physically stood there, till 4 BINS of stuff went in the attic!!!donated 2 big black bags from that mess!

  then, (while he was "resting" from all his hard work; i went to the front patio.. seems he just bagged, then left a big black bag full of screening, he "sworn " he took to work, to recycle.. in the car that went.. so, im a little more ahead.. we're STILL  looking for where all the stuff from tenting got put!!!

  so, now, the roads' a little longer, im afraid..

  thanks to you girls, i just keep telling myself "just a little " everyday.. but the mountains still looks so huge!!!

 i just keep diggin away... im not sure DH ISN'T a horder, at this point.. ive been so sick, i haven't been keeping track.. he's gonna be mad, as i find his hiding places, im sure.. but, i'm determined!(and, we have company coming next month!!!) 3jays