Not quite a horder - decluttering

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited November 2014

    Bankers boxes. The bane of my existence!!! And they're so cheap at Walmart!!!

    Doing extensive organizing? Label the box "KAISER" and put all Kaiser-related papers in there.

    Company coming over? Grab a box and sweep everything on the counter into the box. Label it "SORT"

    Anyone want to take a guess as to how many "labeled" boxes I have vs how many are marked "SORT"????


  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited November 2014


    I was at my office, looking under the desk, and discovered one box piled on top of another.  They've been there for a year, at least.  Not sure what's in them, but I do remember I wanted paperwork out of sight.  I guess I must have wanted it twice.  I was tempted, of course, to see what was in there, but I was actually in the middle of some much needed organization, so of course, I spent my quota of organizational time.  I guess those boxes will remain right where they are.  If they haven't bothered me for a year, I guess there's nothing in them that can't just sit there.  Now others might suggest a trip to the dump.  I'll meditate on that.

  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited November 2014

    I threw out all my BC stuff except 1 huge sweatshirt from the fire dept in hot pink. I have not worn it but I kept it. I cleaned out most of my BC stuff saved on the favorites from my computer. I get my 3rd mammo next month and then the rest can go.

  • OncoWarrior
    OncoWarrior Member Posts: 5,234
    edited May 2015
  • momof2doxies
    momof2doxies Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2014

    Hi there,

    I am new to this thread, but I love to read stories of decluttering. Last year while battling my second round of BC I began collecting a lot of stuff that I thought I could use for my DD's wedding in May. Well, as treatment went forward I realized that I was not going to be able to do the things I had planned. Much of my wedding stash was being stored in the guest bedroom. Well, after the wedding I came home unloaded the stuff and went on vacation for 3 moths. Then I came back to all that lavender stuff in the bedroom. I also had to go through 2 surgeries…more breast reconstruction and rotator cuff repair. I have had my dominate hand in a sling now for 7 weeks. ARGH….Now to the declutter. I decided to have all the downstairs carpet (bedrooms) cleaned this coming Saturday. So last Sunday with the help of my husband we began to tackle one bedroom each night. One car load has gone out to Goodwill and another load will be going tomorrow. It is so liberating to have STUFF leave. I hope to have the floors cleared by tomorrow night so that the carpet people can clean. But now I fell motivated to continue my clearing even further when the carpets are clean. I just want to get out of this brace/sling and do some other projects. But as of now I am proud of my effort

    Happy Clearing!

    Jenifer

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2014

    Jenifer - welcome. good for you!!

  • OncoWarrior
    OncoWarrior Member Posts: 5,234
    edited May 2015
  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited November 2014

    Jenifer, you give me inspiration. My kids bedrooms have become a haven for clutter since they grew up and moved out. I have one kid coming back for Thanksgiving on Thursday and if you could do it in one evening, so can I. Today I will work on that bedroom and get it back in shape! Welcome!

  • momof2doxies
    momof2doxies Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2014

    Good luck to you Mandy. I use to save stuff for yard sales, but I am too old to deal with that anymore. I look at something and think " I have spent more on a bad meal at a restaurant " …then I am able to LET IT GO. Holidays will be more enjoyable with less clutter! Best wishes


  • FairyDogMother
    FairyDogMother Member Posts: 253
    edited November 2014

    You gals are awesome! I think my goal is to do one room a month. Sometimes I get so overwhelming. We bought binders to put the BC stuff, yet we have files all over the house. Last night my hubby said he is ready to start decluttering too. We had to move my Nana to assisted care and we realized how much stuff we had, because as you go through another person's possessions you think you don't want someone to have to dig through your piles of stuff.

  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited November 2014

    FDM, And I remember how little of her stuff I wanted. I'm sure my kids will be the same.

  • OncoWarrior
    OncoWarrior Member Posts: 5,234
    edited May 2015
  • momof2doxies
    momof2doxies Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2014

    Way to go ladies! I took an unused wig, mastectomy bras, and unused scarfs to the Center Center in town. They were very happy to get the items. Then I took a box of used doggie fleece blankets and doggie sacks to the dog shelter. Finally, another load to Goodwill. Tonight I will clear the stuff off of the furniture (lamps, etc.) so that the carpet cleaners can move the furniture. Oh, I also went to physical therapy for this shoulder. I will do some more clearing next week, but I think I am going to be okay for tomorrow's carpet cleaning…at least I hope so. Decluttering sets you FREEEEEEEE….

    Jenifer

  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited September 2017
  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited November 2014

    Been organizing, decluttering. Living room is good to go! Coffee table is cleared off and it looks great. Kitchen counter is cleared...just have a few more items to get rid of in the kitchen and it'll be ready (I even cleaned out the pantry and organized that). Then later today, I'll start the bedrooms---have till Thursday to finish those.. I need to keep this energy stream going. But it is nice to see the living room looking so spiffy. :-) Maybe that can keep me going.

  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited September 2017
  • momof2doxies
    momof2doxies Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2014

    Awesome! Way to go Mandy! I am sitting here waiting for the carpet cleaners…will be glad when that is over.

  • noonrider
    noonrider Member Posts: 464
    edited November 2014

    I bought a new shredder today. Oh how such little things can bring me joy! LOL I've been shredding stuff all afternoon.

  • FairyDogMother
    FairyDogMother Member Posts: 253
    edited November 2014

    When I shred things I feel like I"m working at Enron :)

  • momof2doxies
    momof2doxies Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2014

    I do not mind shredding…just hate emptying the shredder because of the little pieces that drop on the floor.

    Loving my clean carpets tonight. But I need some motivation to work on decluttering the kitchen. I may have to wait till after Thanksgiving and hopefully the first Tuesday in December I will get to take this sling off. Rotator cuff surgery has been as much of an ordeal as chemo…without the hair loss.

  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited November 2014

    momof2doxies - Oy!!! Rotator cuff surgery!!!! You have my deepest sympathies!!!

    I went in for a simple rotator cuff repair and ended up with a complete shoulder reconstruction....

    At least he did it all arthroscopically!!!!

    Sending gentle hugs and get-well wishes...

  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited November 2014

    Shredding with a home shredder takes so long!!! I have bagged my shredding in the garage and will arrange for one of these shredding companies to come and shred.


    Meantime, my kitchen looks pretty good and so does my lviing room. I will still have more to do in the kitchen (there is a desk in my kitchen that needs to be cleared off but that has to wait as the bedrooms await me). I think I just need to keep working and not get discouraged...this is a big job indeed!!!!

    Thanks to all for your encouragement and hugs to all.

  • noonrider
    noonrider Member Posts: 464
    edited November 2014

    My kids are great at running the shredder and love to do it. And, when I'm sitting watching TV in the evening it is easy enough to sit in my chair and shred stuff at the same time. Multitasking at its finest.

  • momof2doxies
    momof2doxies Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2014

    Keep up the good work Mandy. I am going out of town to visit DD for Thanksgiving, but when I get back I will join you in clearing out the kitchen. Oh and hopefully I will get this sling off on 12/2. Ah, to have 2 useable hands would be so nice.

    I just had a slice of pumpkin pie…yummy…I was not able to enjoy pumpkin pie last year due to chemo.

    Hope everyone enjoys the holiday…Eat responsibly


  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2014

    Oh Mom - how can I even consider eating responsibly? I too spent last year's holidays with no taste buds due to chemo. I'm so looking forward to all the goodies.

  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited November 2014

    Minus 2, By all means eat whatever you want. You have last year to make up for plus this one. We'll all think we need to diet in January anyway.

  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited November 2014

    Yes, eat as you wish for Thanksgiving and worry about it later. Too much delicious food to pass up. I am baking a pumpkin pie today and will start a pecan pie bake tomorrow.


    I just want to take the time to thank the divas on this thread for supporting my attempts to organize myself for some many years. I am thankful for all of you.


    Have a wonderful holiday!

    Hugzzz

    Mandy

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2014

    Thanks Wren & Mandy. My ex-husband and his wife are taking me to Ruth's Chris for dinner. He never did like turkey. I'm going to order every side on the menu that sounds good.

  • FairyDogMother
    FairyDogMother Member Posts: 253
    edited November 2014

    I think I enjoy burning the documents. There is something therapeutic in watching the smoke and fire. Have a great Thanksgiving! Hard to believe last year I was doing chemo. I'm just thankful this year I can taste the food and eat it.

  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited November 2014

    To all my Clutter-Busting Sistahs...

    image

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