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Archive through December 25, 2003

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions: 2004 Aug - Oct: TVCH's Home & Life Organization (ARCHIVES): Archive through December 25, 2003 users admin

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Lkunkel

Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 7:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What I have left to declutter:
(Same stuff, different POVs)
Junk1 Junk2

Solifelike

Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 10:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wow!! What is all of this from? Is it from a move of downsizing?

When we lived in Alaska, we had a smaller house at first (gov't standards). When we signed for housing, even my son was not there yet. So at first it was OK--just a 2 BR apartment. Then my adult son got there and I got pregnant and had my baby. The gov't gave us fantastic new housing, twice the space and 7 days to make the move. Gov't standards move, meaning we not onlyhad to move intot eh other house, but move completely out of house No. 1, and have it cleaned to spic and span standards. So we had to have house 1 cleared within 3 days, in order to properly clean and shampoo carpets and such.

I was 7 days postpartum. My husband had to go to the field for somethig that was post wide, no way out of it. And I had to do it alone with my baby and teen (14)for the first 4 days. I put every thing I could, into laundry baskets and moved myself for 3 days, that way. I figured if I could carry a laundry basket, I could do it. My Son and a friend of his moved several things for me, and I had about 50% of all items out of our house and over to the new one, on my own. Everything I'd moved was put away, clean and arranged. My husband and friends came home and moved the bulk items and threw the rest in boxes. I cleaned my life away on that other house, down to the wire. I was so exhausted, it was another week before I actually did anything in my new house.

But for the rest of the time we lived in Alaska, those boxes were in my basement taking up space, packed and ignored.

In retrospect, I should have thrown them away. I should have forced myself to be rid of them. It was not until last year (3 years after) that we unpacked the last box and got rid of it's contents. All useable items, but we just never used them. Those stupid boxes kept up out of that area of the basement, and were packed and hauled all the way down from there to Arkansas. Then sat here for another year. I kept hoping for another robbery. :)

Lkunkel

Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 10:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Life: Both. I had it down to 14 boxes that we moved to our 2-bedroom 866sq foot apartment from our 1887sq ft two story house with a 2-car garage and three storage units left to sort.

Unfortunately, more stuff got brought/bought, and DH (being oh-so-helpfu) decided the best way to help me clean up and out for Thanksgiving was to take all of my stacks of items (file, ship to other people, donate, keep, sell, etc.) and shove everything into my extra boxes with no rhyme or reason.

So, now I get to refigure out what is what. And I'll do that after I walk to OfficeMax tomorrow and purchase more boxes so I have something to sort into.

My free assessment from the professional organizer is on Monday. She was amused: I sent her the same pictures I posted above. She pointed out that most of her clients had no clue where their digital camera was to start with--let alone to be able to take pictures of the "STUFF." She also said the pictures said that I am definitely not that bad off--and she thinks I just need to hear that to rejump start me. Which is also likely true. I just SO want this STUFF gone and out of my life and no longer weighing me down.

Solifelike

Wednesday, December 17, 2003 - 9:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Had to laugh about your DH. Mine doesn't do that...he is very tall and I am vry short. And when he gets on a sorting and cleaning path he finds a place for everything. However, everything of mine gets put someplace very high.

When I can't find something I am looking for, I start on the top shelves of every hidey hole in the house. LOL He's been gone 4 months and I have managed to pull all of my hidden items down and put his up there. LOL

Well, I hope to hear you have escaped all of your boxes before the holiday gets full swing. I know it's a huge burden. I am working on streamlining everything here, before New Years. I want to start fresh!

Lkunkel

Wednesday, December 17, 2003 - 12:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Life: My plan is to get through the boxes before the New Year. I want to start 2004 Clutter Free. My motto for 2004: Clutter stays outside the door and off my floor!

Born wrote:

Quote:

Yes, please post your decluttering/moving tips. I've moved many times in my life, and always wound up packing the clutter and moving it with me instead of taking the opportunity to get rid of it! I've actually abandoned everything I owned on more than one occasion, rather than having to sort through it all.




LOL, okay, Born. Let's start with
Kitchen Cabinet/Drawer Clutter

(Note: If you USE something, then it isn't clutter. This is just a list for CONSIDERATION.)
  • Working on ONE cupboard or drawer at a time, take everything out.
  • Clean the shelf/drawer and put down fresh lining if needed (if you use it).
  • Sort items into categories.
  • Eliminate items you no longer use or are unnecessary duplicates.
  • Possible Rarely/Never Used Items (remember, these are POSSIBILITIES, not DEFINITES): electric popcorn popper, skillet, knife sharpener; broken appliances and/or parts that don't go to anything; exotic spices over a year old; gourmet gadgets and doodads; overcomplicated food processor or blender; cloth napkins, corny place mats, joke aprons, and burned potholders; bake ware (angel food cake tins, etc.); 15YO pressure cookers; fondue pots and warming trays; special occasion china and glassware*; and elaborate serving dishes and utensils
  • Possible Duplicate Items (remember, these are POSSIBILITIES, not DEFINITES): can and bottle openers; measuring cup and spoon sets; peelers and parers; tea strainers and coffee scoops
  • Possible Abundant Items (remember, these are POSSIBILITIES, not DEFINITES): spatulas and wooden cooking utensils; empty margarine tubs, food storage containers, mayonnaise and jelly jars; lids without bottoms (and bottoms without lids) teapots, coffee mugs and drinking glasses; extra sets of dishes; recipes and cookbooks; paper bags
  • Determine if interior organizers (shelves, turntables, pull-out racks/bins, drawer dividers, hooks, over-the-door racks, baskets, bins, and/or plastic containers) would help.
  • MEASURE the inside of the cupboards and drawers.
  • Take the measurements with you when you go shopping.
  • Put the keepers back in, putting like things together. Place them as close to their logical point of use as possible.
  • Toss the extras in either a donation box (good condition) or a big, black bag (BBB) for garbage pickup.


*I invite you to think about the concept of saving things for a special occasion. It's a wonderful mindset, in some ways, but in others it sucks. If we are always saving things "for good" or "for special occasions" we cheat ourselves and our families out of feeling special. Just something to think about.

Only you can determine if you have too many items. But think about how many burners you have, and how many hands. I find rinsing off a spatula to be much faster than looking for another to use in a different item I'm cooking. Pot & Pan sets are nice...but do you use all of the sizes? Just because it is a set doesn't mean that they have to stay together. I promise: they will NOT suffer from separation anxiety.

Dipo

Wednesday, December 17, 2003 - 6:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Great list, that is what I did on my last move. Got rid of a lot of stuff. Did the same type of review with my book collection. I am now very carefull what new books I bring in.

lk: LOVE the pot/pan comment. I never thought about getting rid of the pans I rarely use!!!!! LOL

Lkunkel

Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 10:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dipo: I laugh when I look at the pan sets that include 1-, 2-, and 3-quart pans.

Most of my recipes call for 1 or 2 quart pans. Since I tend to use larger (to avoid run overs), my 1-quart pans are rarely used. In fact, my 3-quart pan gets the heaviest workout. I let go of the smaller ones (I do have a 1/2-quart one that I use for gravies) and haven't regretted it. For pans that get occasional usage (my heavyweight pan for fudge is in a cabinet with all of my candy-making supplies) are stored with what/when they are used for. (Turkey platter with autumn decorations, etc.)

Lkunkel

Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 1:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Still in the Kitchen...
Kitchen Organizing

I know a lot of organizers talk about creating "centers": baking center, cooking center, prep center, etc. Well, that's nice if you have a large kitchen. I have an apartment gallery kitchen with a total of 4.25 base cabinets, and two of them are under the sink. Get real. So, instead, I opted for like-to-like. YMMV, of course.

Categories

  • Cookware: pots and pans; skillets; baking/roasting pans
  • Utensils: cooking utensils; miscellaneous (can opener, etc.)
  • Knives: (These are an important category for me, and they get handled separately.)
  • Food Storage: Wraps, foils, plastic containers, etc.
  • Everyday Eating: Dishes, glasses, mugs, flatware, serving pieces, placemats/napkins
  • Special Occasion Eating: Dishes, glasses, mugs, flatware, serving pieces, placemats/napkins
  • Cleaning:* Supplies, trash bags
  • Cloth Materials: towels, aprons, potholders, etc.
  • Pantry: Spices, Coffee/Teas/Sweeteners, Oils/Vinegars/Condiments, Cereal, Boxed Goods, Canned Goods, Baking Ingredients, Rice/Beans/Pasta, Potatoes/Onions, etc.

*Please keep cleaning supplies out of reach of children, pets, and "hot" places (i.e., not over the stove! Don't laugh--one of my friends did this.)

Tomorrow: The hidden kitchen asset--Counter Tops.

Sherrie

Friday, December 19, 2003 - 4:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Laurie wrote: Tomorrow: The hidden kitchen asset--Counter Tops.

I am looking forward to this!!!

Lkunkel

Friday, December 19, 2003 - 4:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL. First I had to FIND my counter tops after grocery shopping.

Overall, my counter tops are fairly empty. The microwave and toaster oven live on two counter top spaces, I have two cutting boards near both items as a place to set hot dishes, a roll of paper towels, and a fruit bowl on the counter tops. I also have a small scrap garbage bag.

Let's face it: counter tops are easy to load down with "STUFF": Utensil bouquets, cutting boards, cookie jars, vases, mail, homework, etc.

Which means that if you spill items, things could be ruined; if you have a hot pan in hand, you have no place to put it, unloading the dishwasher or grocery bags can become exercises in creativity.

Is it convenient to toss stuff on the counter top? Sure. Is it annoying to clean cooking spatters off items--or clean utensils from the utensil bouquet before you use them? Yup.

Take an inventory--what's on your counter tops? Let's share and come up with ideas on where you can store items other than the counter top.

Let's reclaim the real estate!

Sherrie

Friday, December 19, 2003 - 9:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hi Laurie - you are such an inspiration and so knowledgeable. Over that past few weeks I have found myself sharing little pearls that actually came from you. Flylady and Froogle come to mind right now. So thank you!

Anyway, like you I have no kitchen to speak of. I live in an adorable one bedroom house (cabin) with one very tiny closet in my bedroom. The only cabinet space I have is in the kitchen and it is minimal. I can't bulk shop for that reason. I have one cabinet for my dishes; one for food and one for pots/pans/bowls, etc.

I even use my oven to store my toaster oven and george forman grill.

Over the past 6 months I have been going through my stuff and "de-cluttering". As for counter space I have one next to the sink. Very Sad! I was looking forward to what you had to say because I just know you are sitting on some great idea.

I plan on going through my kitchen with your suggestions (above) to get rid of junk. I know I need it because with the limited space that I have I can't open the cupboards without things tumbling out. Half of the problem is space and the other half is me keeping up on it.

I love reading your posts and the support you show to everyone. I always smile when I read your "What can we do to help......"

Lkunkel

Friday, December 19, 2003 - 11:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sherrie: You can buy bulk--you just have to be creative. Like when I lived in a studio apartment and made a "bench" out of canned goods. Well, after shopping it was a bench. Toward shopping time, it was more of a footstool.

We have to get you more counter space. What is on the counter? How long and deep is the counter? (Where do you do your food prep?) What type of wall space do you have?

I need data!!! <g>

I always try to help--I am glad I have been able to so far. Let's see if I can keep it going.

Ddr1135

Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 1:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Here's what I did to gain more storage in my kitchen.

I relocated a cypress armoire to my kitchen to house my microwave. I also store glasses, dishes, cookbooks, etc in it.

I also converted an old time candy counter into a kitchen island.

Lkunkel

Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 1:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
DDR: Great ideas. A lot of organization and storage is thinking outside of the box. For example: in 1996, DH & I needed a stand for our office to hold office supplies, including paper, binders, etc., a fax machine, and a printer. I sketched out what I wanted and poured over office supply/furniture books to no avail.

As I was reading the Sunday ads, I knew immediately what I could use. A quick trip to Babies "R" Us, and I had found it: A wooden changing table with simple lines, two open shelves, a drawer, and a small closed shelf area. It lived in our office until we moved and is now in our bedroom serving as an entertainment center.

I was thisclose to turning it into a buffet in the dining room, but decided that I didn't have room there and the tv really shouldn't be on the floor if I didn't want to hear DH complain.

Lostintheglades

Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 5:44 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
hehe...My system is pretty simple....

"When in doubt...throw it out"

I hate clutter and save nothing! DH is the opposite so when I clean he has to be gone..as in miles away from the house and long enough for the garbage truck to come.

My other motto for the kids is this...

"If I have to pick it up I'll never have to pick it up again." (This is because it goes straight to the garbage so if it's important to them they'd best not leave it where it doesn't belong.)

Lkunkel

Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 9:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Glades: I am glad that that is working for you. Before I can get to that point, tho, I have to clear out the pre-existing stuff. I also do not touch my spouse's stuff. I promised to love, honor, and cherish him, and that, for me, means respecting his right to his stuff. YMMV.

Lkunkel

Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 1:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Bathroom Cabinet/Drawer Clutter


(Note: If you USE something, then it isn't clutter. This is just a list for CONSIDERATION.)
  • Working on ONE cupboard or drawer at a time, take everything out.
  • Clean the shelf/drawer and put down fresh lining if needed (if you use it).
  • Sort items into categories.
  • Eliminate items you no longer use or are unnecessary duplicates: Expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications; out-of-fashion makeup or makeup over a year old (old makeup = breeding ground for bacteria); stretched out braces and bandage wraps; hair accessories, blow dryers, curling irons, or rollers you stopped using when you cut your hair; anything that has dried up, ossified, or melted down; toothbrushes over 6 months old; clogged tubes/bottles/sprayers of anything; hair sprays, perfumes, or other aerosol items that have jammed; bedpans or other hospital-like equipment that is no longer needed; towels that are old and ratty; etc.
  • Determine if interior organizers (shelves, turntables, pull-out racks/bins, drawer dividers, hooks, over-the-door racks, baskets, bins, and/or plastic containers) would help.
  • MEASURE the inside of the cupboards and drawers.
  • Take the measurements with you when you go shopping.
  • Put the keepers back in, putting like things together. Place them as close to their logical point of use as possible.
  • Toss the extras in either a donation box (good condition) or a big, black bag (BBB) for garbage pickup.
Treat yourself to new towels. Why should company have all the nice stuff?

Sherrie

Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 8:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Laurie - I busted out laughing when you asked where I do prep and realized that while I feel like we know each other well because I read your posts daily we don't. PREP? That would mean I cook....LOL! Seriously, I occasionally toy with the idea of trying but I really don't enjoy it. I live alone so no children are being deprived. I shop at Trader Joe's and they have so many wonderful things that can be microwaved or thrown in the toaster oven. WHEN I "cook", it means throwing a piece of chicken on my foreman grill, making rice and microwaving spinach. I feel like I went all out!

LOL! Still laughing to myself about prepping! Did I mention I also HATE doing dishes? So the easier the meal the better.

And to answer your question, right now my counter is clear. It is the cupboards I am tackling now. To give you an idea of what they are like: after roaming around here (tvch) I decided I needed a Crock Pot. I was going to put it on my Xmas List. Imagine my surprise to find I owned one as I was deep cleaning a cabinet. I do not think they are going to put "Domestic Goddess" on my tombstone!

Grannie

Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 9:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sherrie, how wonderful that you don't have to purchase a crock pot now. Sounds like a treasure hunt that you won.

LOL over the "Domestic Goddess" comment.

Lkunkel

Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 8:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sherrie: Sorry about that. If you don't enjoy cooking--and can get away with not doing it--take advantage of that.

I would invite you to continue working on your cabinets; who knows what else you might find!

I've loved the Domestic Goddess comment since I heard Roseanne use it. I know I am not a domestic goddess and never will be. I'll settle for just being a happy homemaker.

Carolinakisses

Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 2:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
One thing I do for extra space in the kitchen is instead of using the kitchen drawers to throw "junk, bills, etc in" I use them to store extra coffee mugs, plates, etc. It's alot easier to open a drawer verses standing on your toes trying to reach for something in your cabinet.

Lkunkel

Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 4:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Carolina; If you have the drawer space to do that, that's awesome.

I am adding my three kitchen drawers to the list of things to be repaired in the apartment. If you open them, they fall out of the cabinet.

Lkunkel

Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 5:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Three Easy Cures for Christmas Clutter
by
Linda DiProperzio, Woman's World, 12/30/03

Every year, Ann Marie D'Angelo faces her own special brand of the holiday blues. "Taking down the tree and letting go of holiday fun is hard enough, but what's worse is that there are always so many new things to store and no place to put them!" sighs the 35-year-old Cincinnati real estate agent and mother of five- and 10-year-old boys.

Research shows that many of us finish the festivities just like Anne Marie--feeling more overwhelmed than every! Why? Loads of new toys, clothing, and decorations that overload already cramped storage bins and shelves.

"Getting organized after Christmas can be daunting," says organizational pro Barbara Myers. "But it doesn't have to be! All you need are these simple pro tricks to make your new year clutter-free."

01. Have a tree un-trimming" party. Research shows that the end of the holidays leaves many of us feeling blue, and taking down the tree only makes it worse. But you can ring in some post-holiday cheer by hosting a small soiree with family and friends. "Not only can they help you put those holiday decorations away, but its also the perfect opportunity to give away some old ornaments and wreaths, as well as get rid of the last bits of fruit cake and egg nog!" says Maria Garcia.

02. Pack it all away. That means your holiday books and baking supplies, which many of us leave in kitchen drawers and cabinets year-round. "You won't need these things until next year, and you could gain up to a shelf or more in storage space for new things!" suggests Garcia.

03. Let everyone pick a favorite. Instead of hoarding away certain ornaments and decorations to pass onto your kids someday, get started now. Myers suggests assigning a shoe box to each child and letting them choose what decorations they want. "Then you can give the rest away to friends, a school, or a library, and you'll get back some extra storage space for you.

=================================================
The Good Deed That Eliminates Clutter

Instead of throwing out the greeting cards you get each year, send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children. The kids collect fronts of cards and paste them onto new backings. The result is then sold as a fundraiser for the group's program for abused and neglected children. [Side note: St. Jude's also collects the Campbells labels to purchase vans for the organization.]

Lkunkel

Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 5:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
January is National Get Organized Month, thus plastic containers are on sale most of the month.

Containers are a wonderful boon if you get the correct sizes--measure and take the measurements with you for buying purposes.

Remember too that you don't want the containers to just be "clutter bunkers." Make sure that what you are storing are things you want to keep or have a need to keep.

Pamy

Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 7:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LK, thanks for the info, I hate to throw cards away and am happy to now know of somewhere to send them!!