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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 2:50 pm
Happy: I am glad you emerged from lurkdom. It sounds like you and I are planning on the same thing--getting it done once and for all, and then keeping it up. I got behind when we moved and I had over 400 boxes to sort through. It's now mostly art supply boxes and some stash-and-dash boxes. My decision to simplify and declutter my stuff and the stuff that is "household" reflects the reality that this 855 square foot apartment shared by two humans (one with a room to stash all of his "stuff") and three cats with their own stuff (and then I read aloud that every cat should have three litter boxes spaced throughout their environment and I started laughing my butt off when Punk yowled in agreement; like we have room for nine litter boxes!). And yet, I want this place to feel more spacious than it does...and I know that it can. I want fewer items with which to deal. For example, I used to decorate for every holiday. I have a miniature outside flag holder which has a flag for each season. Now, I decorate for the season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter) and then add things for the holidays. For example, I bought a flat half-basket-type thing that will work for all of the holidays, and filled it with artificial "spring" flowers. For St. Valentine's Day, I added Perler Bead hearts over the stems that hung on the outside of the holder. The same with St. Patrick's Day, and I'll be doing the same for Easter, with eggs. I'll change out the spring pastel with summer flowers, then autumn, and winter greenery. The inside decorations are the hardest, because I love autumn and harvest decorations. But, other than the Christmas tree decorations, I've decided all decorations must fit in one box. When faced with that decision, it's amazing what all I have tossed into the donate pile. I also use vinyl decals for the windows, and I store them in a spiral booklet I bought from Current(?). Again, all of the seasons, and easy to store. And, while I won't likely toss any Christmas tree decorations or my Native American-style Nativity Scene, there are other things that may be disappearing: snowmen that the cats like to bat about, etc. So, I may actually end up with one box: by putting that which is left in with the Christmas tree decorations. I just keep thinking multi-purpose. As Alton Brown from Good Eats notes: In the kitchen, there is only one item that shouldn't be multipurpose: the fire extinguisher. So, less is more. And the more I toss, and the less I have, the happier I am becoming.

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Grandmato2
Member
07-16-2004
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 3:02 pm
It is amazing how the clutter creeps up on you. When we were a military family, the clutter was kept in check by frequent moves and never knowing how much room we would have. Now, I have a 3 bedroom house plus 3 outside sheds. Well, one shed is actually a barn/workshop for DH. It is so easy to acquire stuff. Paper clutter seems to be my nemesis. I just can't seem to keep up with it. But, I keep plugging away. Lk and I encourage each other a lot. You can do anything for 15 minutes. I am off to work on a hot spot aka my dining room table.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 4:33 pm
Oh, for all you taxpayers out there...my sis just had her taxes done and she claimed and submitted the receipts obtained from our hauling off the too big clothes, etc., to Goodwill. She conservatively named a $100 amount on each of the bags/boxes we hauled away...16 containers' worth. The tax man called and said he wanted to talk about what was in the bags/boxes so sis just started telling him and he said that $100 was way-too-low an amount and that given that each bag/box was filled to stuffed that it would be worth more like a $6000 total. Which, when we are really honest with ourselves, does make a whole lot more sense. We gave away duplicates of all household items (since we combined households)...everything from toaster ovens to microwaves, dishes, all our expensive sweaters that were too big, dresses, jeans, dresspants, suits, coats, etc. Tax man said we were way too conservative. Just thought that I would pass that along in case it may help someone else with her taxes...like Puppy!
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Puppylov3
Member
01-26-2004
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 4:39 pm
daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang, vee. Never thought of it like that.
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 5:17 pm
Lkunkel, I also become happier when I can get rid of stuff. About 3 yr. ago, we decided to turn our garage into a master bed, bath, and laundry room and give our room to one of our daughters who shares with her sister. There are 5 of us in 1350 sq. ft. In my heart, I am a minimalist, but real life contains way too much "stuff!" I never kept on top of it with the kids stuff. We still have most everything, but with our youngest now 8, we did manage to dig out and give away most of the baby items. Our garage is just cram packed and I was to start going through it 2 1/2 yr. ago. But real life takes too much time so it is very slow going. I really want our two younger daughters to have their own rooms about 4 yr ago! Anyway, it's slow going and more stuff gets added to that garage over time. One thing that holds up the process is the tax deduction! But it is worth it! Vee, like you said, I was really undervaluing (is that even a word?) our contributions. I now have a tax program called It's Deductible that is not very expensive and worth every penny. Because we donate so much, I have to keep lists of what we're giving away before it leaves the house. Grandmato2, I too have a problem with paper clutter. Why did this happen to the world? Anyway, I now really keep on top of the mail. We have 3 kids, 2 in elementary school. They have a lot of paperwork. I have to do a better job of staying on top of that too. 9 litter boxes?! That's crazy! We used to live in an apt. that was about 700 sf. We had one box for 2 cats and it was always used and never a problem. We now have 3 for 2 cats but they are always in the garage. I only bumped it up from 2 to 3 boxes when we went on vacation. (Cats can't come in the house due to my mom's allergies. They still get plenty of attention though. The garage is attached. They are 18 and spend a lot of time sleeping in their igloo hut with a heating pad. They probably don't really need it, we live in CA, but they are my old ladies and were my first babies.)
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 6:03 pm
There is a book for the Fair Market Value of donations that you can get and use and take with you to the IRS if you are actually audited. I just don't keep specific enough lists of what I donated to make it work. So far, I've been able to get a hook into the ceiling to hang up the cart I use for shopping. I also secured it well with a bungee cord. (I then Spackled all of the old holes from the hooks we were using when the cart fell down.) I then decided to move our "active" coat/purse/hat rack to under the cart, so it would be more accessible. I also filled in those old holes. I moved the cell phone plug to that wall as well, and hung it up by those hooks, so it is easily assessable, but still plugged in. I cleared out one blue file box by mailing most of the contents to its owner. Our friend Rick still hadn't changed his address since we moved into this apartment and he was supposed to after he found a place in Colorado. (Okay, I actually did this a few days ago, but still). Rick was surprised to receive all of his mail, and the notification I changed his address, but is in fear since I told him I still had more to mail. (And that will be ready to go out by Wednesday.) I today tackled the box beneath it--the stuff that belonged to my foster daughter. I put the legal stuff in my to file pile, to make sure that it is duplicates only, and the rest--minus the Christmas Sock, went into a BBB. I figured a blank sock is a good thing, since you never know when you might need an extra. I also cleaned off the back of the door. Since I am setting up a desk area in my art area, I moved the calendar with its magnetic hanger to the side of the freezer. That really cleared out that area. I still need to find something to hold the notepad, since when we go out, there's where DH and I leave notes for each other. And, in finding the sock, I decided. More decorations are going away. Right now, tho, I am organizing the hall closet. I removed to Potshot's office closet 9 coats that cannot be worn as they are "game-type collectibles." (Oh, goody!) The number of coats that are in there now, are minimal. There is the leather coat that needs to be relined. I finally have enough denim to do that, I just have to call around and get prices. That is now, actually, my Late-December to Mid-January winter coat after DH learned I didn't have a heavier coat. (However, I really want a red fleece cape to wear, since the jacket doesn't fit me right and doesn't work for going out if I'm dressed nicely...so, we'll see.) My fleece sweater jacket is in there, as is a nylon wind/rain resistant jacket. Potshot, meanwhile, has about that many and more. No wonder that closet was always stuffed. Now, though, I am working on hanging up a rack for visitors' coats and putting the vacuum supplies in there as well. That will free up space next to the washer dryer, and allow me (I think) to hang up an organizer for the broom, mop, etc. I do love how many clothes I have to donate. I'm actually going to call Shade Tree--a shelter for battered women--on Monday and see if they'll pick up since I don't have a car, and since all of the clothes are for women, their organization makes sense. Okay, break time again. (Hey, y'all are the ones who wanted to know what I was doing...so I'm posting regularly to tell you!) The hall closet looks pretty good. All of the vacuum supplies are in there, as are two tennis racquets (haven't been used since 2003), two tubes of balls, the ball cap washing thingy, an umbrella, a video camera that didn't work when I last tried to use it (but I was "using it wrong,) the "big" dufflebag suitcase, the laptop case, space for the "small" suitcase, my small backpack purse, my walking stick, DH's walking stick, a guitar case (?--we have two other guitars in the bedroom, plus a keyboard), and a tripod. There will be a 7 hook coat rack on the back of the door when I get screws that won't go all the way through the door. I'm trying to figure out where to put the cat carriers. They condense down very flat, and I want them handy in the event of an evacuation. The smoke alarm is outside our bedroom, as is our fire extinguisher. To get to the front door, we'd have to pass both the hall closet and the linen closet, but I don't really want to be looking for them in there. I could put them in the living room, with the rest of their stuff, but I fear that would take too long to get to and then stuff them in the carriers. I'm really tempted to put them at the foot of my bed (we have a platform bed with drawers--but they won't fit in the drawer--I checked that already), or beside my nightstand with my walker. Do any of those places sound reasonable? or am I just being really paranoid?

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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 7:24 pm
Okay, well I am taking a "elevate my legs and take some meds" break, it's time to talk clothes. I know it is time to talk clothes because I'm typing, and I want to talk about clothes. So, go play with that logic! Just about everyone I researched on the net agreed with the 80% of the time we wear 20% of our clothes. Since finding out that I am a Soft Autumn, I have been putting aside clothes that are just not a good color on me. Now, tho, I need to determine what I really "need" to have. If you Google "wardrobe basics" you get a whole lot of info--the simplest list I found was for college seniors or graduate students, which offered the following for women: Seasonless suit--should consist of a jacket, pants, and a skirt in black, navy, or beige and all other color choices should coordinate; White shirt; White T-shirt in cotton, silk, or fine wool; Turtleneck in a fine wool, silk, or fine cotton; Sweater set; Black pants; Khaki pants; and a Black or brown leather belt I will be the first to concede that I am not a clotheshorse. AND, since I don't work outside of the home, I really don't need "suits." However, using one of the other guidelines in one of my shopping list notations, I think I came up with, for me, a practical list: Palazzo Slacks: Navy & Chocolate Brown Long Sleeve Blouses: Turquoise; Cream; Turtleneck: Light Blue; Rust Vest: Navy; Chocolate Brown; Patterned Culottes: Green & Tan Short Sleeve Shirts: Light Green; Light Blue; Cream Skirt: Paisley (matches several of the blouses above) Pair of Khakis/Jeans Shoes: Brown flats; Navy flats; Tan/Beige flats 14 pairs of footies 14 pairs of panties 7 bras PJs Exercising: Heavyweight Sweatpants/Shirt; Lightweight Sweatpants/Shirt Swimsuit & coverup Good Pair of walking shoes 7 pairs of wicking socks 7 pairs of exercising underwear 7 exercise bras I dunno, it SEEMS like a lot of clothes. And again, this is only a tentative list. What do you think?

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Puppylov3
Member
01-26-2004
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 7:43 pm
I think it depends on you. Or in my case me and my place of work. For instance - we have only a handful of jeans day/year. Unless it is an offical jeans day (or you have come in on the weekend) no denim (including shirts, dresses, skirts). Also on the nono list are split skirts and capri's - which I'm assuming means no culottes. (the dress code where I work - bites). I also tend to favor pants more than skirts/dresses so I need more in the way of pants than anything else. i do agree that I tend to wear the same parts of my wardrobe over and over and over. Do the same with shoes too.
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 8:04 pm
Poor Puppy. I can't survive dress codes. You're right, tho, no culottes. But, again, I am staying home and taking care of things here. I also have housedresses for when I am doing stuff around here and then I shower and put on real clothes. Then there are the days that the bed and I become merged as one.

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Schoolmarm
Member
02-18-2001
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 8:15 pm
I don't know about you but FOURTEEN bras is a bit much. You have 7 regular and 7 exercise. Don't you wear them more than once before washing? I tend to alternate between two or three and let them air out between.
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 8:28 pm
Well, when I said 6 for two weeks, no one said anything, so I was a little nervous that I had horrible habits or something. I actually do what you do, since what is listed is actually my dream wardrobe. As I declutter the 80% of the clothes I don't currently wear and add the 18% that I will. Of course, in all of my posts, I've asked questions that I hope to get replies on...soon. BTW: Rule 979 when putting screws in hollow-core doors, always use hollow door anchors.

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Prisonerno6
Member
08-31-2002
| Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 12:14 am
quote:I don't know about you but FOURTEEN bras is a bit much.
Making a note never to let Marm look in my lingerie drawers...
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 9:21 am
ROFL!!! At the moment, I have three bras total. I oh so can't wait to build up a wardrobe! I still haven't figured out what to do with the cat carriers.

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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 2:28 pm
So is anyone doing anything? I'm going commando on the apartment--partly out of rage, since I still haven't talked to DH today since he is too nauseous to move his head to talk on the phone. In the hall bathroom, also known as "the cats' bathroom," I cleaned out the base cabinet. Before he left, DH noted that we were really low on plastic shopping bags for the litter. Well, we're not. GrandmaTo2 had sent me a boxful, and I found the box totally untouched. I crammed the contents of the box into the hanging bag holder and then tossed the box. I then found a shoebox (plastic) that I had been looking for, MORE plastic bags, my good dustpan, the cat whisk broom and dust pan, the cat's "oops" cleaner, the heater we use to warm up the room when we do "spa days" and the empty box for his shaver. I also found a bunch of wrestling newsletters for which he had been looking. I put the newsletters in DH's office, swept the bottom of the cabinet, hung up the litter scoop on the door, placed the 6 new boxes of litter in the cabinet, as well as the half container that we already had. It's amazing how different it looks in there! I realized that I had two bags of garbage I was walking around, as well as two boxes of newspapers. I hauled them outside, and when my downstairs neighbor saw me lugging a bag while using a cane, he came up and took everything down to the dumpster for me. I noted that the kitchen garbage can needs replacing while I was on the floor in front of the cabinet next to the can. I managed to hang up the two wrap holders--one on the door to hold foil, plastic, and parchment and one on the inside of the cabinet to hold the freezer gallon and quart-sized bags. I want to get another to hold the storage bags. That will leave the center area for the garbage bags, and we should be able to find things. I also discovered one of the shelves that has been floating around looking for a home will fit nicely in the over-the-refrigerator freezer. I unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher; it's still running. I straightened up the cabinet the dishes are in, cleaned up the drawer holding the placemats and have, as of right now, put all of the items in the donate box. I also noted that the drawer seriously needs fixing (all the drawers in the kitchen and bathrooms fall forward and out of the cabinet if opened more than an inch-and-a-half). I transplanted a plant into an old soup tureen and placed it on the shelf over the sink. I put the aloe vera plant on the other end of the shelf, and put the soap scrubbers in their mugs--one has been washed, the other is in there now. I dunno. It feels like I've done more than this. But I guess not. At least, not so far.

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Prisonerno6
Member
08-31-2002
| Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 2:50 pm
quote:ROFL!!! At the moment, I have three bras total.
I have about three dozen. (Vanity Fair Outlet tent sales rock! )
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Grandmato2
Member
07-16-2004
| Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 4:28 pm
WTG Lk. We are on a blitzing marathon. I did not get as much accomplished as LK - mainly my continuing battle with paperwork. I, too, would like to pare down my wardrobe. I am going to hang any questionable clothes on their hanger and then hang it backwards in my closet. At the end of March, if it is still hanging backwards, it is on the way to the thrift shop. Hope this works out.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Monday, February 28, 2005 - 6:46 am
Also paring down the wardrobe around here. When you can't find the jeans you want to wear because they are surrounded by jeans you never wear... I am blitzing big time today...after this post, I am not going to be back until things are done. I AM doing 15 minute stretches and enjoying tv in between...not the computer...too tempting. Laurie, how are you doing keeping to a time frame? I hope that you can see progress and that things are pulling together for you. Thanks for the info on the fair market values for donations. I'll look into that. Happy flying, everyone!
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Monday, February 28, 2005 - 9:07 am
Well, for a change I followed my own advice and cleaned out my email boxes. Then I got sidetracked on the board, and now I am trying to talk myself into picking up the hot spots and do the usual daily chores.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Monday, February 28, 2005 - 12:31 pm
I'm back for a few. Just posting some photos to show you what I've done. Those cellar stairs are killers!
Time for the Village to go!
Boxes everywhere
Clearing Center
Back in the basement
Finished
Piano top needs cleaning
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Monday, February 28, 2005 - 12:35 pm
All back together again Yes, it's true! The living room is very small; I live in a shoebox. 
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Grandmato2
Member
07-16-2004
| Monday, February 28, 2005 - 12:46 pm
Vee, your place looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Monday, February 28, 2005 - 12:50 pm
Out of time as always...but living vicariously through everyone else's progress! ... I did get some old emails deleted!
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Monday, February 28, 2005 - 2:18 pm
Vee, you are determined to get rid of winter and start up spring, aren'tcha?LOL Frankly, so am I, but that snow out there just doesn't want to melt. Your "shoebox" looks so very cozy. Wish I didn't hate dusting so much, or I would put more knick-knacks on display, too. Your basement is looking very organised. Was that the project du jour or de la semaine? Can't wait to have mine look like that. Lk, is Shotputt suffering from a hangover? If so, that's the time to clean up your pots and pans, moving them loudly and often. Happy, you are doing good! Emails count. One step at a time! Let's just sit back and watch all these blitzers go to it. We might even learn something through observation. At the moment I don't dare clean out my wardrobe, just in case curving brings results. Hasn't so far, but a gal can hope, right?
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Monday, February 28, 2005 - 4:20 pm
Wow, I have been gone for a little while and you guys go crazy with the cleaning and de-cluttering. I am very impressed with everyone's progress. LK, you have done an amazing amount of stuff, hope you didn't work yourself to death!!! I haven't done much but will get back into it tonight>
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Monday, February 28, 2005 - 5:40 pm
Lum, I am so ready for spring and it won't show up here for two more months. So I "force" spring inside. LOL My philosophy about decorative items is that one can't have too much...Keep folks eyes moving around the room...up and down...all around...one can get away with a lot if you do that! I like the "cozy" factor.
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