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Post by morningglory on Apr 16, 2012 11:29:36 GMT -5
Woo-hoo! Finished and filed the taxes, then did 32 minutes (in 8-minute dayeanu intervals) on that drawer under the counter (see photos at start of thread).
I used this as an exercise in overcoming perfectionism. There were a bunch of latin and greek root flash cards in the drawer that had gotten strewn throughout in the general mess. At first, as I stacked them to put into a Ziploc, I wanted to make sure each card was facing the right way (both the face and the top in the right orientation), but I realized how stupid that was, since I would be able to correct that when we use them, and just started quickly stacking them.
After all the complaining I have done on this site about my husband's tech hoarding, I really have to cop to my *own* tendency to hoard tech stuff. I encountered that when I found some outmoded items and manuals in the drawer and felt a sense of pressure to keep them (again like a curator). I set them aside while I cleared more of the drawer, then simply threw them in the trash. I threw more manuals in the trash as I came across them, too.
The sad thing is that the drawer is only about 2/3 done (not including putting away the stacks of items that go elsewhere) and I've already used half an hour. I have challenged myself to get through the whole thing--counter, drawer, and shelves--in 2-1/2 hours. Looks like I'm going to have to pick up the pace! Although the items in the drawer were small, so it took more time to go through them than it would for larger things. BUT STILL, if I only want to save essentials, what business do I have sorting out old colored pencils and the like? That kind of thing could easily be tossed.
Well, the plan is to put a drawer organizer in there for all the stuff that should normally be stored in a kitchen drawer--writing utensils, commonly-used household tools, etc.
I have other things I had gathered in there that I plan to put where they go (keepsake boxes, utility closet, donation box, toy box). To be fair to myself, I *did* shove things in that drawer precisely because I didn't want to lose them, so it's not surprising to find a bunch of things I want to keep there.
On the other hand, do I really need to keep the children's lost teeth? I somehow feel this is a hoarding thing!
Ugh--obviously I am still struggling, but at least I have made some progress. Planning to go out for a bit, then come home and attack again!
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Post by cando on Apr 16, 2012 13:23:30 GMT -5
Ha! Yep, get rid of the kid's teeth. Great job in those 32 minutes!!!!!
Woot! Woot!!! on doing your taxes!!! That is HUGE!!! Thanks y'all for the help & encouragement! Also, the crazy dancing bananas. A special thank you to Morning Glory for giving me that extra nudge to get started on the kitchen counters. I took the clue from you and set my timer & also did 4 sessions of 8 minutes (thank you, Dayeanu!). 32 minutes total. Here's what happened... *Bagged up the following for DH to take to his office & share with his co-workers: - 3 cans (some partial) of macaroons, - partial bag of fruit snacks, - partial bag of dried wild blueberries - unopened box of coffee filters (No tellin' how long they've been on my sink counter & they're for a coffee maker that we don't use here and have never used here... Where the heck did they come from?!*Tossed the following: -partial big bottle of expired dog meds - old unused coffee filter - 2 old empty pill bottles -2 partial old jars of peanut butter -contents of partial large bottle of calcium chews -partial bag of crackers -3 partial bags of dog treats -3 empty zip bags -packaging from shipping box -some stickers.*Put away 4 sm. bottles of dog meds & Pepcid that I keep for dogs, if needed, and sm. box of dog meds. All in box that I keep for them in laundry area. *Put Gorilla Glue in Office Supply closet. On the way to the closet, picked up partial pkg. of AA batteries that have been in the den for a few months & notepad from den, and 2 rolls of packing tape & file folder labels from dining room table. Put all those in the closet! *Put 2 food boxes on pantry shelves in laundry area, put Nesquick, sweetner, sugar and assted. seasonings away. And, fire starter thingie away.*Put medical tape, 3 bottles of meds & bag with med in front bathroom closet. *dusted off some stuff*put empty shipping box in garage to be recycled on our pick up day*put paper/cardboard packing from shipping box in recycle bag & empty bottle in recycle bag *put full bag of Recyclable papers in garageOne might think that I would be done with the sink counter, but I'd say that I'm about halfway -- maybe finished with the decluttering part in less than 30 more minutes, but will still need to arrange what I am keeping and needs dusting/swiping/cleaning terribly. So, I am including that in the time. (Oh, also am including the breakfast bar in this declutter cleaning and another sink counter because there isn't much on those. They've been maintained better). I still haven't gotten to the papers/receipts... but aren't too many of them as they have been decluttered more recently and I was trying to maintain it but wasn't totally succeeding in that. Then, the cabinet with the containers. I may as well do the whole cabinet. That will be a lot of work and the decisions to then be made about the contents. Oh well... I'll worry about it when I get to it. That cabinet is mostly containers & I keep mixing bowls in there. We'll see what else I find in there that I don't even know about. I see myself on target with the 2.5 hours estimate. CD
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Post by Sunshine on Apr 16, 2012 14:22:03 GMT -5
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Post by maggie on Apr 16, 2012 17:52:11 GMT -5
The good news is that after the initial feelings of shame, embarrassment, anxiety, fear, and stress (all of which lasted about an hour or two), I decided simply to add this to my list of squalor that I am currently attacking, just another "kitchen pile". Thankfully, our tax refund should cover most or all of it (I hope!) so I am planning to arrange estimates on the work this week and just deal with it. First of all, what a mature and healthy attitude to take. Good for you! I have to say, my passive aggressive side would make me want to build a hideously ugly fence that faced the mean neighbour. My aunt lives on an acreage, and she has a nasty neighbour (susptected of poisoning their cats, kind of nasty). Anyway, my uncle was building a workshop on their property. Apparently the nasty neighbour got very upset about it and confronted my aunt demanding to know what they were doing. She told him, "We're building a pig barn. How do you like that?" When I was young, everyone in my mother's generation highly valued doing everything yourself (building your own deck/reupholstering your own furniture/replacing your own roof). However, I've noticed in the last ten years or so, when they need work done, they hire it out and talk about how great it is to get a professional to do things! I think it's a combination of them getting older and being more financially secure. Maybe all that do it yourself-ish-ness was just because they couldn't afford the alternative.
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Post by morningglory on Apr 16, 2012 18:07:36 GMT -5
Oh, maggie, thanks for that. Your stories about your aunt brought a smile to my face, and I really appreciate the supportive words.
And thank you for the cheers, sunshine!
Cando, holy moly, you HAVE been busy today! Fantastic work! The items in your counter pile sound very familar--the kind of stuff I have shoved in my cupboards, actually!
I have yet to dive back into the drawer mess, but in the meantime I have actually thrown away a bunch of plastic lids that don't even have matching containers, and taken out the plastic containers for possible use in storing little things I'm finding as I clean. However, if I don't use them within the next couple of weeks, out they will go, too.
I am also adjusting myself mentally to getting rid of other things that I know I don't need--plastic pitchers that have never really worked well (top heavy, lids don't fit properly), certain dishes and other utensils and appliances we don't need. I am thinking about them and readying myself to TOSS them.
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Post by morningglory on Apr 16, 2012 18:30:06 GMT -5
Oh, there was a minor glitch I wanted to mention, because I gained some insight from it. This year my husband bought some very nice wine glasses for the Passover seder. They are glass flutes of the right number of ounces, replacing some gigantic burgundy glasses, of which we only had two left (because the others broke over the years). So when I was putting away the Passover things, I set the two big glasses aside to donate.
When my husband saw them sitting (packed in their box) ready to be given away, he pulled them out because he says he plans to use them! He says they are for drinking red wine, and having them gives him a sense of civilization.
When he said that, I realized that he wants to keep them because they *represent* civilization to him (like having the tech equipment sitting around where he can see it). But these wine glasses are really for a life he doesn't have, because we have been married for decades and I have seen him sit around drinking red wine fewer than 10 times. There are other items that he could own that would enhance his sense of civilization, that he would actually use, but these red wine glasses are more for a fantasy.
So I don't really think this particular possession is going to give him much pleasure, enough to compensate for the space they take up and their contribution to the general clutter. I told him that (gently), so he said, "Let me think about it, and maybe I will decide to give them away." I was actually very pleased with his response and was okay with it. Even though in the meantime he shoved the box on top of the refrigerator, inconveniently in front of the recycling bin we have up there. (I moved them down today, but until I empty out more cupboard space there is literally no place to store them in the kitchen!)
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Post by cando on Apr 16, 2012 18:30:48 GMT -5
Thanks, y'all!!! MorningGlory -- Great tossing of lids! Yes, it takes some getting used to for some of us to toss. I am obviously not in the habit of tossing, either. Well, I attacked the cabinet! Here's my update: Spent 40 minutes going thru cabinet in kitchen - I was ruthless!*tossed 1 big bag of containers/etc. & 1 grocery sized bag of containers/lids/etc. *put 2 big drink bottles in recycle bag *took the big bag to the outside trash can *put 2 grocery bags in bag of bags to be recycled *tossed 1 yucky grocery bag *swiped out cabinet *washed out the basket that holds most of the containers OMG! I wish that I could do the picture thing! Y'all should see how empty that cabinet is. This was the one that was overflowing and couldn't be closed due to containers spilling out. Well, a few months ago, I put all the lids in 2 grocery bags and every time we had to get a container... we had to lift those bags out of the way or knock stuff out of the cabinet. And, we had to go thru the bags to find lids. What a sucky way to live and behave! This cabinet also has other type containers and mixing bowls in it. (I am glad that I didn't do this while my DH was home. I don't think he would have let me throw away some of the things that I did... But, my thought was ... if we hadn't used it in a few years -- GET RID OF IT!) So, the good Rubbermaid liquid containers were hard to toss, but I did. Also, the 6 Flags big cup that gives free refills when you have it at. And, the big neat beer one from Scarborough Faire. They are both several years old - at least. And, if we go again, yeah, I know it's expensive but after several years... I think we can buy a new fresh, clean one. I think my DH would have disagreed, but 'tis done! BTW, I did keep 2 of the 6 Flags big bottle/cups that weren't quite as old as the one that I tossed. And, the beer thing was just too darn big and odd shaped to keep! I wish I knew of some kind of container to hold the lids to containers. I had a little difficulty putting them back away in the cabinet... it looks neat & organized the way I have them, but I'm not sure how practical it is and how long it will last. Oh well... I love having some space in my cabinet. I mean, who can reach the stuff in back, anyway! Now, there is just space back there! Maybe tomorrow I can finish the kitchen counter. Good luck everyone! CD
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2012 18:36:34 GMT -5
You guys are AWESOME!!! So much tossing happening between cando and glory my head is spinning, and I became inspired! I marched right back into my closet to clean out my jewelry cabinet. Tossed out all the cheap crap that is no longer in style...also tossed some nicer things (but not REALLY NICE) that just didn't suit me. Everything that's left in there makes me happy to wear it....I could grab anything and feel good about putting it on, and I won't have to dig through 200 pieces of junk to find what I want. You go, girls!!!
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Post by morningglory on Apr 16, 2012 18:38:08 GMT -5
OH MY GOSH, Cando! You are a force of nature today! I LOVED reading the list of stuff you tossed. So very much like the stuff that accumulates (somehow, totally on its own) in my own cabinets. Hurray for you, getting that stuff off your back!
For lids, I have seen little wire things that hold groups of lids up on their edges (the same way that some organizers hold dinner plates or pan lids or cookie sheets). They usually have a few different sections, to put different size lids and that way they are all accessible (not on top of or behind one another).
Keep up the great work, everyone!
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Post by morningglory on Apr 16, 2012 18:41:31 GMT -5
Wow, Hurricane--that's what it's all about. Having only the stuff you really want and use and not having to dig through a pile of cr*p to find it! Great job!
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Post by cando on Apr 17, 2012 2:47:53 GMT -5
thanks for the suggestion, MorningGlory. I have another idea that I came up with for the lids. There really aren't that many as I tossed most of them. I'm thinking of just using one of those plastic type boxes like you put silverware in... but I just need like for one thing... like for forks or something. Long thin rectangle shaped box. I think that will work, too. And thank y'all for the support & cheers. Hurricane -- You have been such a boost of motivation. Reading about your closet and Morning Glory's 8 minutes that turned into 32 minutes are what motivated me, today. Now, I'm thinking that I may be ahead of the 2.5 hours. So far, I've spent 1 hour and 12 minutes on this project ( I want to finish the sink counter tomorrow!) CD
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Post by dayeanu on Apr 17, 2012 3:07:07 GMT -5
CANDO - I use a ziplock bag to hold the lids! A bigger one for the big lids, a smaller one for the little lids. I like them, because you don't have to buy a special thingamajig for them, and it always conforms to the right space. It's easy to just grab the bag and see which lid you need, and it's contents are always dust free.
I also have some jar lids I keep for empty jars. I use a short, fat, plastic peanut butter jar with a screw on lid. The lids I am saving fit in it perfectly. They are neatly stacked in an easy-to-grab, unbreakable jar.
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Post by morningglory on Apr 17, 2012 6:30:06 GMT -5
Cando, you can get the kind of single-compartment long, thin container you describe at a super-cheap price at Wal-Mart or similar stores. They have some that are only about $1. It's great that you have pared down to only needing that much space for your lids!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2012 9:51:47 GMT -5
I just wanted say that late last night after my baby was sleeping, I FINISHED cleaning my walk in closet (the details/updates of what that entailed are on page 2 of this thread). Now I can actually walk in! And reach everything! And there's plenty of space for everything I need! And my dear teddies are lined up sweetly on a shelf, smiling at me when I open the door! Cando and Glory, you ladies continue to be a marvel. I must thank you for giving me the inspiration to get this done, as motivation is the biggest problem for me. Watching you work like banshees got me off my a$$ multiple times. I don't know if I could have achieved this if I hadn't known you two were working along side me (in the virtual world) and hitting your own projects with gusto. Another example of how: Also, it would have taken weeks more work if I hadn't had the junk-be-gone boys haul away the worst of what was in there. I've never before used a professional haul-away service like that, and I can't believe how much easier they made things. Cando and Glory, I'm watching your progress and cheering you on with your own projects. You both are incredible clutter warriors! with your next attack....you are changing your life for the better right NOW. Everyone else who chimed in on this thread, THANK YOU for your support!
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Post by cando on Apr 17, 2012 12:43:06 GMT -5
MorningGlory -- That is exactly the kind I had in mind and remembered seeing them for that price at Wal-Mart. Dayeanu -- Thanks for the suggestion. I looked to see if zip bags would work for me in this cabinet in the space that I have for the lids, but don't think that will work out. My DMom said she keeps the lids on the containers loosely. But, I used to do that and I didn't like that method. That is how it ended up such a mess somehow. Hurricane! Congrats on getting the closet cleared! I can't believe that we have motivated you, when it is YOU who helped motivate me, yesterday!!! You are very inspiring! I'll be back later! CD
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