December 9, 2011

I have a closet in my home office that dad put shelves in years ago. It quickly becomes a catchall for things and on Friday I took everything out, sorted thru ALL the junk, threw out tons of junk and created a workable space.

Organizing tip of the day

Update?

Well, I've basically had radio silence since the kitchen project got underway. Wondering if she gave up or is actually muddling through. Also wondering if the other organized spaces are still organized or if they lapsed.

One thing I do every day is after inrush my teeth and take my pills, I walk the house and clear off tops--counters, desks, tables--and put everything where it goes. It helps me sleep knowing that when I get up in the morning, everything is ready to start fresh.

Mission Impossible: The Kitchen

I need pictures asap. Your next room is the kitchen. You will sort it like we did the linen closet and the bathroom. Three boxes--keep, donate, trash.

Start first with the refrigerator. Take everything out, put back in only the good stuff. Clean the shelves while everything is out.

Next, the food/pantry/shelves: Take it all out, check expiration dates, put back only the good stuff and get rid of the stuff that has been in for over a year. Year old stuff goes in the donate box. If you didn't eat it in a year, you probably never will.

Now you need a box for the stuff you are giving to Derek's family who are moving into their own place. All duplicates go in that box. Strainers, extra sets of dishes, plastic cups from sporting events, can openers, mixers, blenders. You do not need two of anything unless you have 2 kitchens or a mansion. Keep that box on Storm's bed--for the time being.

We'll discuss furniture and dishes and all that other stuff like the drawers with junk in it once you have purged the foodstuff.

So?

Did she EVER finish the guest room? I think Melissa is hiding from me. She started off strong, but perhaps she's "petered" out. Organizing an entire house can be exhausting and draining. And you have to want to do it.

Fingers crossed that the guest room is done, because the kitchen is next. And that's the most important thing to complete.

OMG

Yes. Yes, this tragic. I pull into Barnes & Noble and this car is in front of me. It is STUFFED with empty bags, empty boxes of frozen eggrolls (did he eat them raw?), empty McDonald's wrappers, junk mail, magazines and CRAP! See, Mel, I told you I've seen worse. This man's car is a trash can.

AND.....

The computer tower off the dresser and under the desk where it should be.

As for that tv...it needs to come off that dresser too. Perhaps on the white bookcase or a small LACK table from IKEA ($12). I don't know for sure. Who is the tv for?

More thoughts on the spare room

I've been thinking about how to organize the room. The shelves over the computer table will also give you a place to store your collectibles. 3 shelves. The top one for collectibles, the middle one with clear bins with supplies in them (markers, scissors, pens, envelopes, etc.), the bottom shelf should have a pencil cup and a notebook on it and stacking trays to sort important documents or ideas.

A job for Derek

This is a picture if what I would like Derek to put up over the computer desk. It can have brackets like these, or the vertical tracks that screw into the studs and allow the bracket's height to adjust. This is where your office supplies and school/craft supplies will go.

Crazy week

Hello!! I have not been avoiding you exactly. It has been a crazy
week and I did not get my assignment done yet. I will continue
working on it. I am bringing Storm up here this weekend and intend on
having her room done before I go get her. I have the Festival of
Tables today which I have been so nervous about all week. My
interview is on Thursday and I will leave from there to go get Storm.
So I promise I will work on this after the fundraiser tonight. Some
drama that came up this week with Derek's nephew and his wife, will
allow me to pass on items needed by them for their new apartment. So I
am excited to be able to purge kitchen items to them. LOL I did work
out on Friday with Mrs. Smith. That was nice as I need to start doing
more of that. You know you are welcome to visit whenever you want and
as soon I get her room done you have a place to sleep too.

LYMTAS,
Mel

Kitchen cabinets

Took the time to purge my kitchen cabinets today. My dining room table is full of stuff to recycle. And I have room to add my pots and pans to the cabinets!

Hmmmm?

Melissa has been either very very busy or she's avoiding me. May need to make a trip to Detroit to pop in on her to see the progress.

I've started on the kitchen

My kitchen has no counters and no storage. It needs a remodel, but that's way too effing expensive so I do what I can until the loot comes in. This drawer was a catchall of crap until last night.

Homework List for the Week of October 10...

Ok, I reviewed the photos. And re-reviewed them. And looked at them one more time.

This room has to serve a dual purpose. And room for Storm and an office space of sorts. Divide the room. Office stuff on one side. Bedroom stuff on the other side.


Here's where you should start.

1. With the boxes you used to sort the linen closet and bathroom, you will now use them to sort this room. ALL clothing MUST FIND A HOME. I'm not yelling, I'm emphasizing. I see clothing laying out and it needs to be put away. A trick my Dad taught me when I was growing up was to store your winter clothing in the summer and your summer clothing in the winter. Each family member gets one plastic garbage can with a sealable lid. He put a fresh garbage bag in the can and I piled in my summer clothes. Tie the bag, seal the lid, put it in the garage. Our names were on masking tape on the lid. These days, I use those big rubbermaid tubs. One for summer/winter clothes and one for summer/winter shoes. Now is the time to start making the switch.

2. Clear off that dresser. Put the cleaning supplies and toiletries where they belong. TODAY.

3. Each box will hold a different rooms stuff. One box for stuff that goes in the linen closet.bathroom, one box for the tv room, one box with computer crap, one box for stuff you HAVE NO USE FOR but you hang on to because you might use it some day. (This is a lie we ALL tell ourselves.)

4. All books go to the bookcases.

5. You must finish the shoe/clothing purge. You still have too many clothes. I know one is for work clothes, but sort through them. There's no way you wear everything you say you have stored for work. SORT THEM. PURGE THEM. NOW.

6. SHOES! DO IT! I threw away (donated) 8 pairs of shoes today. They were sandals I have had for years and forgot about them. They were out of style, dirty, and throwing them out gives me an excuse to buy new ones in April.

7. That bookcase--CLEAR IT. Take everything off the bookcase with a trashcan near by. I guarantee there is crap on there that no one in your house needs or will miss. Pitch it. Bookcases are for books.

You have until Friday to finish this list and send fresh pictures. Then I'll have a way to arrange the room to give you more space. Consider a twin size bed in the future. The near future. Princess Storm will live.

The Spare Room

Now that you have completed two projects, don't you feel better? I always do when I complete an organizing project. When I finished the linen closet and got rid of all that crap, I was thrilled! Of course, now I have to do the drawers below the linen closet. YIKES! I have a feeling everything will be thrown away because we haven't used anything in the bottom three drawers in YEARS.

As for you, Sweet Melissa, your next project is the extra bedroom which I'm sure you use as a dumping ground like Andrew does our guest room. We have enough room to close the door and walk away. You, however, do not.

I'll finish the linen drawers and spare office. You finish the spare room. Purging is required on your part. If you forgot about it, you don't need it.

XO,
M

p.s. Send the pictures...

Bathroom and Linen Closet

Well after trying to use some totes I had, I decided to go with the
plastic boxes you suggested to begin with. I found shoebox sized clear
containers at Big Lots for a buck a piece. (I actually got 11 of them
for 80 cents a piece at the Rewards bonus sale on yesterday evening.
I should have picked up some more.) And more importantly, the
containers are MADE IN THE USA!!!

I did rid ourselves of the atleast 3 boxes of stuff. I recycled and
donated what I could. I did rid ourselves of any expired vitamins or
medicines and alot of unused cleaners. We also throw out some
blankets that were not usable. I did move our towels to the linen
closet as I just learned that Derek did not care for my towel rack.

I cleared out our shelves about the toilet and tried to put things
that we do use. I know it is not perfect but I will tweak it as
needed. We know that doing this will make things easier for us.
Derek is being very supportive (as usual) in my doing this.

I did finally hang up my Whale pic in the bathroom and was so pleased
with the hangers that I found at Big Lots that I hung up our 2 Red
Wings pictures in our bedroom. I still need to hang my Whale Tail
(actually called a Fluke) towel holder in the bathroom, but I would
rather him do that so I do not ruin any more walls. (long story, don't
ask.)

On the creative side, I did cook twice this week for Derek and Steve.
(Did I tell you about the song "You, me and Steve" by Garfunkel and
Oates?? Very funny. Look it up when you get a chance.) I still need
to get clear coat for my jewelry hanger project. And I colored my
hair. I did however buy 2 new pairs of shoes. I needed them for the
Festival of Tables next weekend. I will be wearing them this week so
I will take a long hard look at the other shoes I have and if they are
to stay, I promise. So hit me with my next assignment when you are
ready.

LYMTAS,
Mel

MY Linen Closet Update

I purged my linen closet very drastically. I got rid of 5 sets of sheets and 3 different types of shams. They were all being saved "for when we might need them." We are left with 6 sets of sheets with each set of sheets nestled inside of the pillowcase. Two sets of towels. A stack of washcloths and handtowels for when Andrew makes a mess. And 3 blankets.

I managed to fill two garbage bags with sheets and etceteras to go for donation to Planet Aid.

As a bonus, I sorted through my shoes this morning, as well. I got rid of 7 pairs of shoes that I haven't worn in 2 years or more. They are also slated to be donated.

Now I wait for Melissa's progress......

I did a small project tonight

>

> I felt a bit guilty, so I organized the bottom shelf of the cabinet. All sample sizes are in a bag for Project Act (homeless students) and all the candles are in one central location out of the linen closet. All batteries in one spot and everything else in it's spot.
>

Organizing Ideas for the current assignment...

For this space, all of the first aid stuff should be in a container in the linen cabinet. One shelf is yours. One shelf is his. The top shelf is community property for lotion and the spare roll of toilet paper you have on the other shelf. Nothing should be on top except a lovely fake plant.

As for the linen closet, it is ideally for linens. We talked about sorting everything into clear containers. Cleaning supplies for the bathroom in here. Cleaning supplies for the kitchen in the kitchen. Stop buying in bulk. When you live in a small house, a subscription to Costco is evil. Buy what you need when you need it. Trust me on this. Perhaps a bin for the hair dryer and irons. A bin for extra beauty supplies.

Check expiration dates. If it is expired, you must throw it away. This goes for lotions, makeup, and medicines. In my house, we have very little storage so I understand the problem you may be having. In the medicine cabinet, one shelf is yours, one is his and the bottom shelf is community property.

Your homework is due to be completed on Friday by Midnight so you can relax and chill for the weekend with your honey.

Assignment for this week: Bathroom and Linen Closet

I posted a picture of my linen closet earlier this week. Yes, it is a mess. My goal is to purge it and clean it out on Saturday. I would do it tonight or Thursday or Friday, but this has been a terribly awful week at work so I have given myself permission to relax when I get home. Teaching is so not what you think it is.

Now, Melissa, your assignment is to purge your bathroom and linen closet. We talked on Sunday about what that meant and what it involved. Use the empty boxes to sort through each room/area and then put it all back in separate containers.

Target has awesome clear boxes with lids for the linen closet. As for the bathroom shelf that is open for everyone to see, please pair down that stuff. Put only what you use on a daily basis in the bathroom. Everything else goes into the linen closet.

In the next post I will post your pictures and give you some ideas...

Progress!

Melissa made awesome progress! Here is the bed she finally has slept in for what I believe is the first time in a VERY long time. Says she has weird dreams, but those too shall pass. It's just her hoarder conscience trying to break her spirit. Beds are for sleeping, not storage.


This is a lovely pile of empty boxes. I. Love. Empty. Boxes. And now she is using them for another project. (See next blog post.)

This is a basket full of her daughter's toys that she is donating. (I prefer a large basket, but I'm not going to say anything...) :o)

This is the clothing that she is throwing away because it cannot be donated or repaired or stored for no reason.

And this is the basket of clothing that she is donating.

Melissa, I am so proud of you. And once you get in that garage, you are required to purge those clothes, as well. Still wondering about the shoes. I'm sure they will be gone by Friday.

LYMTAS

Whose linen closet is this?

Mine. See? I'm not always organized! Guess I have my own work to do...

Reading assignment!

For the softie in all of us:

This is an article from one of my favorite blogs...unclutterer.com

http://unclutterer.com/2011/09/30/ask-unclutterer-difficulty-parting-with-sentimental-objects/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+unclutterer+%28Unclutterer%29


Melissa: I'll call you on Sunday evening after my parents leave...

Did she do it?

That is the question on everyone's mind, I know. Did Melissa successfully sort through her clothing? Last time I checked in, she was working on it. Her deadline is today and I'm rooting for her.

Now, I'm not very sappy, sentimental, or soft. Several of my friends refer to me as being bootcamp worthy. My friend Ally used to threaten her kid's with "Martin's Bootcamp" when they were getting on her nerves. BUT, I'm not heartless. I understand the difficulty people have when parting with their stuff. I have two pieces of clothing I have kept since the 1990's: a GUESS denim skirt that I was so HOT in and a Charles Barkley jersey that a friend sent me from Phoenix. I can't wear either, but they hold meaning and I keep them.

As for everything else? It's gone. We have to ask ourselves why we keep things. Are we too lazy to sort it all out? Are we scared of being without? Do we have mental issues? (Rude, I know! And I'm only referring to the psychological reason some people hoard, but I'm not qualified to talk about that because I have my own set of mental issues.)

Here's what we have to remember: Physical clutter affects us emotionally. It keeps us from enjoy our space, sleeping well, and feeling pressured all the time to fix it. I have a friend whose house is so full of crap that she only has a small living room she can maneuver in. The rest of the house is FULL. And what ever picture you have in your head of full, double it. One room is full from the floor to my waist of plastic bags filled with crap she can't even remember that she has. I kid you not. And on top of that, she never wants to be home, she doesn't sleep well because she sleeps on a loveseat every night, and she can't keep her life straight.

A clutter free home allows us to not only have room to walk and move around in, but it helps to clear stresses from our minds so that we can relax and be the person God intended us to be. People and loved ones are what is important, not how many books or sweaters or shoes we have.

LYMTAS

In high school we always signed our notes, "LYLAS" for "Love you like a sister." Well, Melissa was more than that. She carried my bassoon to the bus stop (I was a weakling), she forced me to watch WHAM! videos on BETA (for chrissake), and she lived 2 doors down so I could always escape to her house.

Well, Melissa has a ton of siblings and I have none. Her house was chaotic and loud. Mine was quiet and sparce of knick knacks. But who's house would I rather be at? Hers. So, I created this "LYMTAS" as my ending to my notes, IM's and emails. It stands for "Love you MORE than a sister." And I do. And because I do love you sweet Melissa, I'm going to take you through my organizational bootcamp. You will be amazed at how much an organized home helps to clear your aura and chakras and all that crap. And Derek's stuff is getting taken care of too.

Your homework assignment:
1. Collect four large bins (I KNOW YOU HAVE 4!) and label them Keep, Donate, Throw Away, Sentimental.

2. Bring all of your clothing into an unused room (Storm's) and begin sorting. Your first sort should be drastic. 3 seconds per garment. If it doesn't fit, you ARE NOT allowed to keep it. If it is damaged, you ARE NOT allowed to keep it.

3. AND because you are a softie, you need to keep sentimental items to a minimum. One (or two) per person you want to remember.

4. Shoes are a part of this process. Put on a pair of socks and try on all your shoes. If they don't fit or they are not comfortable, you must get rid of them. That is the only way to justify getting new ones!!


OK, girl, get moving!! You have until Thursday to finish this.