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Archive through January 16, 2007

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jan. 2007 ~ Mar. 2007: Home and Garden: TVCH's Home & Life Organization (ARCHIVES): Archive through January 16, 2007 users admin

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Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 4:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
Kitt straightened me out on the freecycle site. It's
freecycle.org (not com!)

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Friday, January 12, 2007 - 6:44 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Freecycle always looks like such a good idea to me, but more when I am looking for something and not when I want to give something. Thanks for posting that link, Grace!
Serenity and Sia, great to see you both posting again!

Serenity, those kinds of lists are not bragging, they are helping the rest of us see the possibilities in our own homes. Keep up the good work.

Sia, I love that you have a helper. It can be invaluable to have a disinterested sidekick to suggest changes that we might not otherwise see. She sounds like a keeper for sure! Have you thought about reading Marla's (FlyLady) book called Body Clutter? I sure have. If these principles work for cleaning and reorganizing a life, then I think that they would work for anything.

Urgrace, thanks, too, for mentioning getting rid of all those extra kitchen tools. If they're not helping, what's the point of keeping them? Just like my certain number of bookshelves and NO more, a certain number of countertop containers and NO more should work wonders in any kitchen.

Dipo, let us know what you were able to weed out of your baking pans. (Acckk, I hadn't even thought of that one yet. They're lining my cellar stairway and are forever getting bumped off. Maybe it's time...)

Is it helpful to have the mission posted here or would it just be better to let folks refer to the digest? I don't mind, but if it's redundant...

On that note, today's mission:

Dear Friends:

Your mission for today is to fling your way underneath your sink. Throw open those cabinet doors and start tossing all of the grocery
bags, empty cleaning product containers, the cleaning products that you don't use, the old margarine and whipped topping containers that
you have shoved under there, you all know the things I am talking about!! Toss, toss and toss some more!!

~Kelly


Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Friday, January 12, 2007 - 7:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Accckk, Vacanick and NT, I didn't really forget you! Working gals always have such a big challenge. The good thing is that you're out of the house for the working day and not messing it up. Routines will be very important to your success, but I know that you are off to the races! You'll have more time to play on the weekends!

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Friday, January 12, 2007 - 9:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
When I get finished flinging my way out from under my sink, I'm going to look at the entire sink area below and above and smile about all those hugs!

Vee, I appreciate what you are doing and like it when you post the missions.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 6:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Thanks, Urgrace. Now I know that Saturday is supposed to be a family day. I think. Nevertheless, here is the last mission of the week:

Dear Friends:

All week I have sent you into the fridge, the pantry, under the sink.....so what is left? Ahhhhhh the FREEZER! Grab a bag and toss
those open boxes, the empty ice cream containers, the old whipped toppings, and the unidentifiable items that are covered in freezer
burn. No guilt allowed here, you are to toss the items that you know you do not need nor will you use!!

Be proud of yourselves this week, we have decluttered our kitchens one mission at a time!!

~Kelly


When I was reading this last night, I mentioned it to my sister and we just stood there together peering down into the freezer. I grabbed a package of cocktail weiners from last Christmas and I don't mean 2006! Sis said in true SHE fashion, "I"ll eat those. Don't waste them!" Acccckkkkk!

All I could think of was the Oprah show last week with the doc who keeps coming on to talk about where we err in housekeeping. Keeping frozen food that long was one of his points. He said that he wouldn't feed it to his dog. Well, those weiners are going today no matter what! (I'll buy sis a fresh package if she gets too upset.)

Lastly, I am leaving you with a link to *The Cost of a Kitchen Make-Over; Priceless!* I had never read it before so I thought perhaps some of you may have missed it as well.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 4:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
Today my hands still smell like Clorox Clean-Up from the scrubbing the cabinet got under my kitchen sink. Yes, I tossed the gloves. I told hubby we needed to get a can of paint for it, because between much use and the umpteen spills of chemicals over the years the floor was in dire need of new paint. But all ten the lower cabinet fronts and seven drawer fronts got scrubbed, too. Next week I'm tackling all the upper cabinets/cupboards, especially the spice cupboard.

As for the freezer, that is also going to have to wait, because I'm watching football today.
colts football

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 6:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Enjoy "Renew Your Spirit" Day, everyone! A couple of five-minute Room Rescues should be all that you need today. Have fun watching football, Urgrace!

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 2:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Veezie - you are (as always) just the impetus I needed! I have folded towels to put away (did the laundry earlier in the week. And I STILL have to fold Vin's nice, spanky clean gotchkies. And I have to FINALLY rinse and store the platters and trays from my HOLIDAY PARTY 2-3 weeks ago. (Ack!) And remove the HAPPY CHANUKKAH plastic dollarstore tablecloth and put out the brand new white one. (ya think? lol)

I believe I CAN tackle these few chores today, and grill up our pork chops for dinner without breaking a sweat. GRIN.

I still have to strip and change the bedding, but that's probably NOT gonna happen today... one step at a time... little miracles do happen. (chuckle) But then again... ya never know, a big miracle could occur, I suppose. LOL.

Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 3:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Native_texan a private message Print Post    
Oh, how I wish the 15 minute rule could work for me bit I find that once I start a project i have to keep going until it's finished. And with the really nasty weather we are having, there's nothing else to do.

Yesterday, I hung a set of blinds that were long overdue in the spare bedroom that I am doing a major reorganizing of and hung new curtains and rods on both windows. After I finished I went through some of the stuff and reorganizing. I spent about 4 hours on that room. I didn't even try to use the timer.

Today, I started out great. I set the timer and went after the open shelf above my sink and only went a couple of minutes over.

I sat down to relax and started looking at the closet door in the living room, thinking "it's not too bad so I know I can get that done with 15 minutes." Well, I almost made it. About a year before the ex and separated (3 years ago), we hung a new front door and retiled the small entryway. The closet door is in the same corner. We got the tile done up to just being under the closet door but never finished those last 9 tiles. So after I cleaned the closet out, took up what remained of the old tiled and put in the new tile and cleaned up again, I had gone over my 15 minutes by 1-1/2 hours.

Going to the bedroom to get the vacuum cleaner I passed the hall closet and opened the door to guestimate how long it would take and decided 15 minutes was doable. The closet had 4 fully loaded shelves plus the floor. I now have two empty shelves and nothing on the floor. That took about 30 minutes.

I then finally made it to the vacuum cleaner.

After that, I decided I was finally going to take a break and make some tea. In the process, I next after Travis meds container and pills went everywhere. Unbelievably, I found all but one which I thought might have gone under the stove but with the cats I couldn't take the chance it landed somewhere they couldn't get it. So, I pulled out the stove to see if it was there. The pill wasn't but - well, let's just say I didn't realize how long it had been since I cleaned that area out. And couldn't very well just clean the floor. There was the wall, the cabinet and the stove is up against and the corresponding side of the stove. Another 45 minutes. Oh, and the pill wasn't there.

Also, throughout the day I've done 3 loads of laundry.

I will say that I am flinging like a crazy woman. In the beginning, I thought I would separate trash from stuff I could put in a garage sale. But I realized that since I have no real big desire to have a garage sale, it's all leaving the premises. The only thing I have saved is a big bag of clothese I am taking to our outreach center and it's already in the my truck so I will get it there very soon. I also had a unch of old computer equipment that my dad wanted so that's gone too.

In the last 3-4 days I have lightened my house by 164 lbs.

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 3:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Towels done! :-) Tackling Vin's gotchkies now...

Wow, Native I am humbled by you! Holy canoli.. and here I am dreading stripping and changing one double and one queen sized bed. LOL.

Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 3:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Native_texan a private message Print Post    
Mame, I haven't changed the sheets yet.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 4:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
wow NT, you do seem to get distracted on the way to a task, LMAO. But if it works for you I say go for it!! I am envious of how much you have gotten done!!

I have finally finished all my tapes from the week, have done two loads of laundry (yesterday) and am headed down to do my final two loads now. I can't do that load a day thing since I am alone I just can't generate that much laundry to do.

While the laundry is going I will tackle my desktop, it has a few things stacked on it and I want to get them handled! Then the bathroom is next. But I only do stuff in the 15 minute stretches since I like to play on my computer for 15 minutes betweeen tasks!

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 7:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Today is our Weekly Home Blessing hour. This is the time FlyLady spends blessing her home. No detailed cleaning required; vacuum the middle of the floors only!

FlyLady sets her timer for 10 minutes to work on each of 7 ways to bless your home:

Vacuum
Dust
Mop
Polish Mirrors and Doors
Purge magazines
Change Sheets
Empty all trash

This takes approximately one hour; some tasks take less than 10 minutes.

"Don't obsess, set your timer for 10 minutes for each task, then QUIT!" ~ Kelly


Oh-oh! I'm worried about NT with this 10 minute assignment. LOL! Just don't get overwhelmed, NT. I do know what you mean about one thing leading to another. Sometimes we're not even sure how it happened. When it does happen to me, I am left shaking my head as it reminds me of those times when I find myself at a destination along the road not remembering passing certain markers along the way. Not good!

Well done, MB!

Dipo, I see you are an expert at quelling hotspots!

How's the January habit going for everyone?

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 9:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Okay, didn't do the sheets, nor rinsed the holiday platters or changed the holiday tablecloth yet, nor stripped/changed bed yet... BUT I stored the folded towels, and folded Vin's gotchkies, and made dinner. Today I shall FINALLY tackle the table with the platters and the tablecloth... But not now... got up early and am fibro achey.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 10:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
Since dh and son are home today, my meeting for this morning had to be cancelled and some tasks on that list will not be done this morning. After sleeping in I started out with making beds and shining the (1) bathroom sink, then took care of Kit's needs and breakfast and took out some of the trash.

After checking into TVCH and my email, I'm on my way to finishing some paperwork that has slipped by and needs catching up on.

When I get all this heavy decluttering done, the daily habit will be so much easier!

Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 10:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Native_texan a private message Print Post    
Urgrace, the heavy decluttering is what's bogging me down right now too.

I am happy to say that I am doing better today. I did spend about 30 minutes on my spices and baking stuff shelves this morning, but I only spent 11 minutes cleaning doors, 6 minutes dusting and about 5 minutes, with Travis helping, taking out the usual trash plus 34 lbs of decluttering trash (I worked on spare room last night for - well I won't say how long.

I vaccuumed and mopped yesterday. There are no magazines to purge right now. I've already made the bed so I'm not changing sheets today.

Today the sun has finally come and it's a beautiful but still very cold day (it 27 at almost noon). So now, I'm going to take a shower and dress (this is actually the first day I haven't dressed beforehand) and then take Travis to the movies.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 11:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
wow NT, that is some decluttering! Excellent job, sounds like you are doing what works best for you! Have fun at the movies.

Ugrace, love that sleeping in part!! I, unfortunately do not have Martin Luther King day as a holiday (it really seems wrong to me, but my company says you can take it as a personal day). Once the major decluttering is done it is easier, but then you find you want to declutter more, LOL.

thanks Vee.

Mame, babysteps will get it done!

I didn't finish my bathroom, will finish that tonight and do as many home blessing chores as I feel like fitting in!

Have a great day everyone.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 12:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
Yes NT and Dipo, the heavy decluttering is making me a workhorse, but I told my dh the house and garage will be done in the next two months. LOL If it hadn't been for November and December holidays, vacation and visitors, I'd have already accomplished so much more.

This chilly weather is such a downer, you almost have to keep working to stay warm. Sitting doing paperwork stiffens up the shoulders. Some day I hope to have better windows that don't let in all the cold and heat.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 6:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Zone Three's mission for Monday:

Dear Friends,

This is one of my favorite missions! This is what I will be doing tomorrow morning!

Spend 15 minutes decluttering health and beauty aids! This means toss the old medicines, hair sprays, gels, shampoos, conditioners, old razors, old dried up nail polish, old cosmetics and anything else that is hanging around in your bathroom that you have not used in the
past year!

Grab a trash bag and start tossing. Don't hold onto something because you "might" use it, or because you might need it, this is how
clutter breeds! Be brutal and toss, toss, toss.

Please, Please, Please do not email me suggestions for the proper way to dispose of things, I trust you all to make good decisions in
disposing of these items.

When you complete this mission you will love how your bathroom feels, I know I use that sentence a lot for missions but it is so true! LOL!

Have fun and toss, toss, TOSS!

~Kelly


(Not to beat a dead horse, but the Oprah guy says that razors need to go after three uses. )

And FlyLady says no one's ever behind! I am!
Here's the actual mission for Tuesday:

Dear Friends,

As you know, Zone 3 is the main bathroom and another room in the
house.

Today that other room is the laundry area. Take 15 minutes and
straighten up the laundry area. Put away the stray hangers. Wipe
down the washing machine and dryer. Toss out all those empty
detergent and fabric softener bottles that you have meant to take care
of. You know what you need to do, just set your timer for 15 minutes
and get busy!

Have fun!

~Kelly


It's great to read about all the decluttering that's going on. You're all absolutely correct, once that clutter is out of the house, it all gets easier to maintain. A clean house is much easier to keep clean.

For those doing paper decluttering here's another handy list of ideas for filing:

Filing Pointers

1. Make a list of your current file headings. Can you delete or combine any? If a file is over 2" thick, break it down into sub-headings.

2. Start each file heading with a noun. For example, "insurance, house" instead of "house insurance."

3. Think about where you would look to find a certain piece of paper. That should be its file heading.

4. Keep an alphabetized list of all your file folders. Attach it to your filing cabinet for easy reference.

5. Buy a step file organizer for your desk top. In it, place files labeled "to do," "to file," "to read," etc. Other options include: "E-mail to send," "to enter" (computer), and reference files for associates, employees, spouse.

6. Keep any current project or work in progress in your standing vertical file. Out of sight many times means out of mind.

7. Treat your computer files (especially e-mails) like paper files. Delete if possible or separate into "folders."

8. Remember this rule: The important part is not how you file but being able to find what you want when you want it.
*Source*

Happy fluttering, everyone! Stay warm!!

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 7:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Shamefacedly admitting yesterday was a total writeoff. :-( But thanks for gentle nudging and gentle encouragement. You have a knack for making me NOT feel like a total loser in this dept. Thank you... it truly is appreciated. Trust me on this. :-)

Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 9:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Native_texan a private message Print Post    
While I was getting dressed to go to the movies, I had Travis empty out my plasticware cabinet. When we got back I sorted through it and through away a paper box (by this a mean a box that printing paper comes in at the office that are great for hoarding stuff) of lids plus a number of containers that had no lids. The problem with this cabinet is that it is under the counter and a lot of the stuff was in the back so what I did was empty the two bottom shelves of my pantry (which contained a bunch of junk as well as my larger plasticware) which is about 5 feet long but only deep enough for one row of bowls. Now I can see everything I have and the plasticware is all in one place.

I also cleaned out the pots and pan cabinet and threw away a couple of skillets that were well past their prime and some old pots. When I was done I had room for my crockpot which was on top of the fridge.

I was able to put a big stewpot that was also on top of the fridge in the cabinet I emptied of the plasticware. I still have a lot of empty space in that cabinet to help in my kitchen reorganizing. My goal is to have nothing out in the open.

I worked on top half of the floor to ceiling cabinet in the bathroom last night. The bottom half is a laundry hamper. I reduced 4 shelves to a little less than 2.

I found a lighted yo-yo on the top shelf. I have no idea how it got there or how long it has been there. I'm honestly thinking in terms of years since that shelf is way above my head and I haven't even touched it in who knows how long. Travis thinks his dad may have put it up to hide from him. Could be.

Yesterday, I also took the bag of clothes to our outreach center. I had a bunch of linens and the sort that had I tossed and I was really feeling bad that I wasn't taking those things also. So, I retrieved that bag from the trash (thankfully, it was on top) and took it to the outreach center also.

I've got to tell ya'll I am having so much fun with this. I really didn't want to come back to work today because of what I still have to do. It also helps to come here and list what I have accomplished and then read it back to myself.

I let so much go during my marriage to the ex that I am ashamed of the state I have allowed things to get into. It had become on those houses that if you visited you would see it as clean and usually neat. That is as long as you didn't open any drawers or cabinets or look under anything. The first after my divorce I used to kinda decompress and allow Travis and myself to do some internal reorganizing in our new lives in a mostly peaceful atmosphere. Now it's time to get down to business with the external cleaning.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 1:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
You are doing so fabulous NT!! I was a lazy girl last night and didn't do anything around the house when I got home. So tonight I need to plan on a few things, like finishing my bathroom, LOL.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 1:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
Fantastic NT! I cleaned out our main bath built-in hamper a few months ago, and we don't use it for anything. I've been debating about that storage space.

A couple of plastic storage bins might fit in there nicely, especially since I have been trying to figure out where to store them - or more to the point the stuff in them.

Do you think the hamper would be a good place to store extra blankets?

Serenity
Member

06-28-2005

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 1:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serenity a private message Print Post    
WoW NT!!! You are an inspiration in the de-cluttering dept.! I am slowly continuing to sort through stuff, but between school and my kitchen reno, I am not finding much time (I know...all I need is 15 minutes....LOL). I too am a person whose house is neat until closet doors are opened, and I NEVER allow anyone to see my basement unless absolutely necessary (plumbing and heating guys, etc.). Once my kitchen is finished and my school load slows down, I plan on attacking the basement full force! I have even managed to get DH to help me (on threat of discarding some of his tools...hee hee).
Keep up the good work!

ETA - Urgrace, I think that would be a great place, especially if it is not presently being used for its intended purpose.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 2:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
The main bathroom built-in hamper is huge. Way too huge. We started using three smaller hampers, one for each of us, and the small built-in hamper in the 3/4 bath for towels. I tend to keep the laundry done more often that way. The huge built-in hamper is one of those "out of sight, out of mind" nightmares.