Just finished taking the wallpaper off my son's wall. It has been on my list but I didn't want to do it until I had the energy. My hubby followed behind me with a scraper to get the little bits of the leftover scraps. So glad it is done and ready to go on to fun step of getting paint picked out. This room has not been painted in 19 years.

Thanks Lexxiss, for the advice. I would have used that score tool to make those dots to let the water in. I did not use it and the hot water and spray bottle worked great.

Wheww....Naptime.

Julia: I am available to carry luggage to Phoenix if needed. Just say'in.

Sending a Monday hello. I have to go back read old posts but will do so later today. I have been sick and things kind of fell apart for me. I am back on track and back to decluttering, one step at a time. : - )

Hello declutterers!

I traveled last night...thought if I left at 530pm I would miss the worst of the ski traffic. wrong. My two hour trip was 4.5 hours. I resisted the urge not to unpack the car...got everything in and went to bed. Credit for putting away food. I slept late yet I made my best attempt this morning to get alot of stuff put away. That will be a bonus when I get home from work.

Thought for the day.....

"The one thing you can't take away from me is the way "I choose" to respond to what you do to me. The last of one's freedoms is the ability to choose one's attitude, in any given circumstance. --Victor Frankel

Hi declutterers!

znoiac, I hope you are feeling better!

Tami (helping rachel), thanks for the quote...I am choosing my attitude today!

I am struggling a bit this morning which gives me the opportunity to reflect on just what "my routine" does for me. What my routine does is transform me to the NO CHOICE mode regarding my home/personal surroundings. I am finding that after many days away from here I have temporarily misplaced the JOY I find in taking care of my home on a daily basis. I do, however, still find joy in looking around and observing what positive progress I have made. AHA, the motivation is found to continue!

Today's 1-2-3 :dance:

old clutter-I really need to finish sorting the photos on my laptop to their proper category so I can call that DONE

current clutter-picked up kitchen already, made the bed (didn't yesterday), picked up tv room...have my office to go. Office is always last because it's always the worst. I DID do some necessary paperwork for mom and it's ready to take to work with me.

clean-(gets up from computer...locates a rag) DONE I went over and dusted in the TV room...tv/tables/and weight equipment.

Hi Declutters:

I realized my mojo for decluttering isn't where it has been in the past months. Maybe that is a maintenance mode, I don't know.

CC: Take travel tv to goodwill. Case and parts are in good condition, not sure of dvr. Extra box of knick knacks will try to fill it.

Clean: Need to finish vacuuming the stairs. Will clean my Daughter's bathroom as she has been so busy and it is a mess.

OC: Craft room beckons me to give some TLC so I know what is what. I will try for 1 hour today.

Hope some type of movement is rewarding to each and everyone of you.....letting go, finding a home for truth, practicing self-care as we take care of those around us..

Hi declutterers!

Tami(helping rachel), I'm finding myself in a bit of a maintenance mode, too. While my decluttering efforts have become far less urgent I still have many goals yet to accomplish. I'm recognizing that it would be a good idea for me to go through each room again and make a new list. I tend to find that every time I do that I'm able to identify another layer to peel off and more items to let go of.

Today is a day off yet it's filled with appointments with my mom. I found myself taking care of some of my chores last night so I could have a quieter morning today before we leave. My laundry and dishes are done. I've picked up all my current clutter especially in my office. I am certain I can find something to clean. LOL. Whoops the old clutter I'll try to work on my photos which I didn't do yesterday. I continue to be keenly aware of my propensity to procrastinate.

ETA-One of the skills I learned fromflylady was to get dressed right down to the shoes in the morning before doing chores. I find I often do that....not always. As I just noticed time ticking away I was reminded to do that. If I'm dressed and all packed up I can fully engage in my project (photos) right up until it's time to leave instead of running around at the last second trying to "get ready".

Today's mantra: My routine is important

Lexxiss-Debbie: Well said about making a new list. I am fooling myself if I don't see or identify the next steps..... I cleaned a full bathroom today, put away clutter and am ready to clean floors. I have appointments the rest of the day as well. No Choice card is out on the table to figure the next steps.

Hope you day is full of peace and blessings in all you do---fellow Beck declutters.

:write::kickbutt:::running::exercise:Today's mantra: My routine is important
__________________YES IT IS!!! Steady as she goes toward her goal!!

Hi declutterers!

Tired today but remembered my routine. Some days ARE tired but my "stuff" just keeps piling up unless I CHOOSE to act.

so...today

current clutter-hung two pictures I bought at thrift yesterday. I'm very selective these days and the two botanical roses in gold frames ($6 ea) are perfect in my formal dining room. I'll get the bed made, too.

old clutter-I DID work on the photos yesterday and have the laptop out where I can sort at least 10 more before I leave this morning.

clean-I did the pet room this morning...cat box clean waterbowls switched out....coffee maker trays switched/cleaned.

I KNOW I'll feel better when I return home later to my accomplishments of the morning.

:cp:

Happy Valentines Day to my fellow declutters,


Thanks for helping me grow in so many ways these past few months. Shedding what isn't me and helping to support what is. Old weeds/habits pulled up and new seeds of organizing, cleaning and taking responsibility--planted. Growth has happened. I would not have the results that I have without your kind support.

Thank you.

Thanks, Tami, for the sweet message :hug: As I continue my journey of progress forward on my home front the support and friendship here is my foundation!

After a long day in Denver, I plopped the laptop on my lap and spent over two hours FINISHING the photos. This morning I loaded all 4200+ onto a joystick and completed the process of putting them on the photo frame downstairs AND persisted to get the time/date right on the device. CREDIT
This project 100% complete for now. I still have some reorganizing within the files but it is nothing that is necessary. I might do some reorganizing as I start to share some of these photos with family members.
SO: Old clutter-DONE

current clutter-picked up...noticing my procrastination again. Went to the tv room for something....looked at my dishes from dinner..."I'll do that later." Stopped....thought.....(CBT at work). Why would I not take them downstairs now if I'm going down anyway? I took them down. Went to the bedroom for something....my voice said make the bed now....I'll do it later....why not do it now. OK. NO CHOICE Washed the tangerines sitting on my counter so I could put them away. credit

clean-cleaned in the kitchen, took out the compost and cleaned the bowl.

I added two pictures....the first is how my 4000 photos look in the computer file. The second is a photo on the "slideshow" downstairs. It's amazing how it feels to have daily access to these physical representations of our family. This is a favorite of mine...dh with the pups.

Hi declutterers!

I sure added some current clutter yesterday and have made a noble attempt this morning to put some stuff away.
~washed the veggies from yesterday's shop
~sorted receipts and recycled
~made the bed even though it seems pointless since I'm by myself.

Clean??-after work

Old clutter-took time to sort all my vitamins that have been sitting on kitchen counter into the little weekly box...put bottles in the cupboard.

Small stuff today which still moves me forward.

I really thought about time management this morning as I was doing chores. I took care of work essentials before coming upstairs to check in.
~dressed
~smoothie/vitamins finished
~lunch packed
~dog stuff packed (pup goes to mom's today)

Happy weekend!

Lately I've been forgetting to :dancer:

Lexxiss: WOW, you certainly have the mojo going. Way to go! I bet you are glad you photo project is done and in the frame.

I worked yesterday, made a pot roast, cleaned kitchen and read a book. I have to leave for work in 1 hour.....

Will clean out the kitchen sink of dishes from yesterday, spray it down with cleaner.

Kitchen floor needs mopped when I get home. Another snow last night has carried in sand and dirt.

I will work on files, late afternoon to prepare and organize all that is laid out on my son's bed. Like items are already with each other, just need to get them in file folders and in file drawer. Should take me 1 hour at best.

Taking Time to Look Around
 

Hi declutterers!

I wrote this on a sticky yesterday before I left for work....it was on my mind.

"Taking time to look around..."

Before decluttering, I seemed to (exist..function..dysfunction) in our home space without ever really "looking" at things...rooms...tables...drawers...closets. I understand that for me it was a very effective avoidance strategy because I lived that way for years. The only time I ever looked was looking for the car keys...looking for a receipt....looking for a phone number.

Today is my one day off before I drive over and p/u DH on Wednesday. Today I am really going to look...in every room in every closet in every drawer. I'm going to make a new list with things to work on...projects to finish....places to declutter.

I'll report back....
today's dance:
old clutter-finished knitting a hat I started last week
current clutter-will work on today
clean-I already cleaned in the kitchen...wiped cupboards (not perfect), cleaned countertops, swept floor.

My goal from now until I leave:
To get all my chores done today and leave everything in place every single day until I leave Wednesday morning. I am TRYING to eliminate the current clutter for just two days...Mon. Tues.

Off today .....23rd anniversary......church then taking my DH out for a late lunch......don't know if I will focus on specific tasks. Separated shoes that are in baskets at end of steps to be sent upstairs. Done......

Lexxiss: I love that you reward yourself for the "feeling and order" of your house upon return. I get that.....

I will be posting new lists on Monday......in need of focus and a committed action plan.

Hi declutterers!

Happy Anniversary (belated), Tami! Yay for planning for a new list!

Me: did well making no new clutter yesterday. credit. I continue to find myself more organized and am getting packed up for my trip over.

Today:
old clutter-picked up an old knitting project and put a few stiches on. Good, because it means I'm now committed to finishing it. It's been sitting in a basket in the living room for at least two years now.

current clutter-worked on it this morning...noticed how nice the dining room table looks when I keep it clutter free.

clean-cleaned a few veggies that were in plastic bags and cleaned the downstairs bathroom.

While I was cleaning/organizing this morning I reflected on a few of my best NO CHOICE items which help me so much
~washing/rinsing stuff in the kitchen that gets stuck on and PITA when I leave them...specifically my smoothie knife/cutting board and blender I use every morning.
~folding laundry right out of the dryer and putting it away...not leaving the pile somewhere.
~ continuing to say NO CHOICE and doing something every single day(no matter if it's seemingly small).

Enjoy!

Busy day. Worked till 4. Dinner made, cleaned kitchen. Put away my daughter's clothes as it she had all the baskets in her room with clean clothes. Told her 30 items had to go by Friday as she has T-shirts/clothes that are 5 years old-too small. Worked on floors-credit. Preparing for next 2 days as we may have 12-15inches of snow coming in. That will change my work schedule for the week.

Lexxiss- Hope you have an enjoyable trip. I loved hearing that you are completing a knitting project that is 2 years old. You continue to pine away--love that:).

Hi declutterers!

Tami, I think it's great that you are nudging your DD to do her own decluttering. I wish I'd had a bit more guidance in that area early on. That sounds like alot of snow! I know we're supposed to get it, too, which is why I'm leaving today. I'll deal with coming home Friday...well after I get over there. lol

I'm pretty much ready to go. I don't usually do much after work but yesterday I made the effort to get the cat box cleaned and to outside trash, got recycle ready and outside and got the dishes done. credit. I already have the bedroom shut down (no kitty barfing on carpet while I'm away.)

Even so, I remembered that my routine is important.
Current clutter-finished picking up in office and addressed/stamped an envelope for mailing instead of dragging it over with me.
Old clutter-put the old knitting away for now.
Clean-cleaned the upstairs bathroom (down to about 3 minutes now) and got down on hands and knees to wash the spot under the sink (kitty related, I'm sure).

Have a great day everyone!

inconsistent.
 

Declutterers, hello.

Whatever I wrote the last time I wrote everything is still the same on my end. DH did some cleaning up and some keeping it clean in the kitchen while I as away. I'm actually away at an artist residency starting March 14th, so the spring deadline for this particular part of the challenge comes early for me. I need to re-think what I'd like to accomplish.

First, an update. My cats have no discovered the box toer in the dining room and each of them has taken to climbing it to the top. Dangerous as the boxes are apt to tip over. They aren't all solid and the tops of the bookcases and the pantry here they are heading to (the absolute tallest objects in the whole apartment) are not secured to the wall and I am just waiting for them/some of them/all of them/all of them in the middle of the night to come tumbling down.

This *should* spur me on to get at those boxes and bring my tower down but I just ignore it.

And with that I will go make a short list of what I am willing to do today. I do have dishes soaking in the sink to keep up the kitchen that DH has been maintaining.

Bye for now.

:hug::grouphug::grouphug: Glad you checked in- Sending you a gentle hug and am glad that you are still connected with us. Sending compassionate vibes just to do what you can to make your day more peaceful and grounded. No pressure here to get things done. Are you looking forward to your art residency in March? Do you have any creative ideas regarding this? You are very talented in areas that I couldn't even begin to do. That is what makes you SPECIAL.

Hugs to your heart and creative soul.

Wednesday- clutter in other locales
 

Hi Everyone

Today I am removing items from the guild's porch that have to do with our mosaic sign project. It will not be easy gathering up the broken ceramic but I am going to complete that today and transport the material to my studio which is where it needs to go. I am buying some garbage bags (extra strong) or some heavy duty re-usable grocery bags for this task and bringing my snow shovel to shovel the pieces into the bags. I look forward to seeing the different colours and shapes people have tossed in the box so I can start to envision our new guild sign. Much reserch to be done on this yet and we have time to do it too.

Also at the guild, well, this is lesson I needed to learn. In my guise of wanting to be helpful (ie. MAJOR people-pleasing phase I was going through--it's passing thank goodness) I volunteered to buy the craft gallery (attached to the tea room I manage for the guilds) some display stand for the work the weavers do (flat things/shawls/table runners/blankets) and there was a department store closing selling all their fixtures so I picked up three lingeries displays which worked perfectly and then I saw three iron sign displays. Big rectangular metal things-just a rounded corner rectangular shape with welded feet and two hooks you can hang things off of. $5 each. OMG. I wanted them for me, for shows, for the farmers' market this year for my display then I offered them to the guild as I am not 100% sure they will fit in my car and I could really see them as useful for new signage. Well, I was the only one who could envision that. People/members just see them as too big, awkward and no one wants to move them and no one wants to deal with them if they are stored in the back room. So I was asked to take them away. Hopefully, they will fit in my car today. If not someone will have to get them to my studio space for me or will, I guess, just put them on the curb.

In my enthusiasm to please others I messed up here. Lesson learned. Again.:dizzy:

Other clutter to do today is to get on the road with starting/finishing a ceramic project for someone. It's not a tough thing to make but I am replicating someone elses' design and I have been resisting this so it's taking up valuable brain space. Must just get it done and oh! Take another lesson here: I don't replicate other people's work anymore.

And for myself, since I am in the ceramic room today, I am going to create at least one newspaper form that will be the inner support for a figure made of clay. You ball up the paper and push it/add to it/take away from it until you get a shape you want to drape the clay onto. I use masking tape to hold the newspaper the way I want it. Not sure if I am making an animal a bird a fish or a human. Don't think it matters. Just want to make something bigger than usual. I have my clay at home so I think I will work on the clay part here.

helping rachel Thanks for your kind words of support yesterday. My March art residency is with my drawing group. The three of us will be sharing one large studio together and staying in three separate bedrooms for a whole week. We're going there to see if we are going to continue to work together and if so how. Things are much different for us since I moved away--but I think we still all get value out of coming together as a group. Anyway, that's what we are going there to find out.

Have a great day everyone.

Flylady post about procrastination and how to just start
 

Hello

I get Flylady emails and while a lot of it sings to me, I haven't ever been able to just follow her system BUT in this post she lays out a gentle, effective strategy that can be personalized and I thought it worthwhile to post a link to it. Any tools to help us get a handle on decluttering are welcome.

Someone asked:

Dear FlyLady,

I have been procrastinating because I don’t understand how it all works together. What is a Basic Weekly Plan, Morning Routines and Before Bed Routines. I don’t know why I procrastinate.

Overwhelmed FlyLady

But my favorite part of her answer was this:

Originally Posted by :
Our perfectionism is what causes us to Procrastinate.

Stop, take 15 minutes to write down those little buggers, you know, those tasks that you need to get done, want to get done, but NOT RIGHT NOW done. Yep those tasks. Get a pen and lined paper and don’t forget that timer. Set it for 15 minutes and write down everything that comes to mind that you sure would like to get done. Now I’m not talking paint the outside of the house done…I mean sew on a button, trim the dogs nails, re-pot a plant, those tasks. When the 15 minutes are done look at all you have to choose from. Choose at least one a day to work on this week. On your mark get set GO FLY.

My BRAIN gets cluttered with doing this, that, and the other thing until I feel so overwhelmed and so hyper-aware of how much I need to do that ANYTHING I start/finish seems meaningless. I have never done a writing like that on this specific topic. I have done it for artwork and for getting redy to do artshows, but never for decluttering/tasks around the house.

Anyway just thought I'd share.
Full answer to ths question is here:
And this was the answer: http://www.flylady.net/d/br/author/a...m_medium=email

OnebyOne, I like the 15 minute list. Sounds manageable and doable. It reminds of Julia Cameron's morning pages from artist way. She suggests that when you get up in the morning, write 3 pages to clear your mind and express your thoughts.

Perfectionism and Procrastination are both types of critics. Both can freeze a person from doing what is needed.

Just got back from grocery store. It was wild and crazy. You would think we have never had a snow storm before. I wanted to get fresh fruit and ingredients to make fresh salsa. The bread and ice cream aisle were almost empty.
Finished mopping kitchen and foyer, laundry done, and now getting ready for my night class.

Lexxiss: Hope you have an enjoyable time 'over the hill".

Hi declutterers!

onebyone, thanks for the link to the flady post. I relate....I'm not to the point of choosing to follow Flady everyday but do find lots of stuff helpful. I really came up with my daily 1-2-3 from her site. Small things really add up over days and weeks as long as I stick with small things every day.

Tami(helping rachel), yes! Both procrastination and perfectionism tend to freeze me, too. Using a list for procrastinated items has really helped as well as allowing myself to let go of the perfectionist...I'm able to acknowledge today that even a half-a**ed job moves me forward. lol.

Yesterday, I didn't post but accomplished a 1-2-3

Today:
I'll pick up current clutter (already started)
old clutter-I have several pairs of shoes that have been sitting out-I will put them away in my closet.
clean-I'm going to clean my shelves above my toilet...they are very dusty and I'm sure I'll find something new to pitch.
Credit.

moving forward
 

Hi Everyone

I *credit* decluttered my purse last night. I just did it about a month ago. Looks like it needs attention every month. It was nagging at me to find the receipts for the paint and the painting supplies that I bought to paint the tea room a few weeks ago now. I bought a certain kind of paint cause I was getting a $rebate for each gallon and I anted to claim it and good thing I found the receipts and the rebate coupon as it expires March 1st. I'll get $28 back. This is on my to-do list for the weekend not today. I also retrieved the receipts for tea room supplies and put them into an envelope. I found several large bills for art supplies for my own stuff too and put that into my little container--but I can't for the life of me figure out how that's organized or what my thinking was with it(?) I'll need to read back in this thread! LOL. At least I know where it is *credit for that I'd say!*

Did not get to the guild. Was still not feeling right about my art proposal this morning (yesterday the weather turned bad so I let DH keep the car. I stayed home to do my art submission). My ideas, (I had a second one btw), just weren't quite right. On a hunch I phoned old art friends in Ottawa and through a brief discussion *boing* there it was. Simple, effective and satisfying made with LESS than hat I thought I would do. LESS. Even my ideas were too cluttered! LOL. I feel good about it now and can go ahead and write the thing up. AWESOME. Whether I get it or not it almost besides the point. For now I am thrilled to have been up to the task of submitting something.

This means guild pottery decluttering tomorrow; possibly working on ceramics at the guild as well.

That's it from me today. See ya!

Kudos
 

Lexxiss I've been meaning to say how AWESOME:carrot::carrot: it is that you have decluttered, re-organized and are now *enjoying* 4200(!!!!!) photographs! This must be just so immensely satisfying. What an accomplishment. I think very few people manage to get a handle on that one.

I am wondering, what is your strategy going forward for new jpgs/photos so they don't get out of hand again?

Hi Ladies!

Snowed in, sitting by the fire, typing up work documents. I made a big pot of chili last night and will work a little in the craft room. I plan on doing one hour of cleaning sometime today, not sure what that will be. Maybe shoveling snow.
House in good condition so nothing screaming for me to attend to it.

Take care all.

onebyone, here's your post...I was rereading old ones just the other day! It sometimes helps me to revisit my progress.
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/4610598-post158.html

Thanks for the kudos on my pics. In answer to your question about new stuff my only word right now is vigilance. I'd say 90% of the 4200 were actually old slides/prints. I don't take tons of daily pics but when I've loaded them on my computer I've tried to take 5 minutes and go through and delete no keepers. I have already scanned all the prints DH's DD gave him of the baby...After all the work I put into this I really have an investment in keeping this all together. I truly believe that with this daily 1-2-3 that I do now there is always time for everything.
BTW-great job going through your purse again...which brought up the receipts....I notice I often "forget" the new plan, too.

Tami(helping rachel), I had a wonderful vision of you by the fire typing away...feeling calm because you've accomplished so much. credit. I think we both know there's "always more" but it does become more manageable.

I TOOK A BIG STEP TODAY
I have not involved DH in this process whatsoever, up to this point. I have let him do what he felt like and I have done everything else even though I acknowledge he is a part of this...part of the old clutter, the current clutter AND the stuff that needs to be cleaned.
I went into my office this afternoon....he was using the copier AND had left a big pile of receipts on my desk. I gently showed him how to go through the receipts before recycling. He did it.
He was putting away some stuff from the kitchen just putting them on a top shelf. I gently suggested that all the plastics go in the bin under the microwave. He put them there.
He wanted a ride to lift weights early tomorrow....I said fine and that I'd just make a list of stuff he would need to accomplish before leaving since we travel. I included walking to the mailbox and emptying it. I always do that.

My word is "gentle" but I'm really starting to notice that he has received great benefit from all my months of decluttering and I believe he can start to help with maintenance. Credit! I have thought about it lots and he is already helping more but I just felt the time was right today.

Hi Declutterers!

I drove hubby to the club early this morning for weightlifting and I've been enjoying some knitting. I'll meet him soon for water aerobics.. Then we'll drive over the hill together.

I got myself up off of the couch remembering no choice.

Old clutter I pulled an old cookbook off this shelf which no longer applies and put it in my thrift box.

I cleaned out the three drawers in my refrigerator which took less than five minutes.

My current clutter will either be put away or taken with me.

Each small step moves me forward credit for doing a little bit when I didn't really feel like it.

Lexxiss: Thanks for sharing your journey, daily. It reminds me that we can take action, committed action toward what we value. It is a daily choice. Valuing health, eating choices and what doesn't fit us anymore. I gave a Travel TV away that hasn't been used in years, DH asked where it was. I told him I let it go. He wondered why I did that. I told him, our kids had outgrown it. My hopes is that someone who wants a travel tv and kids will stumble upon it. It was just collecting dust in the closet.

I want to keep things that are of value and needed in the NOW. If not, release them to someone who may need them or want them.

Working on my office today, papers and organizing stuff. Feels good to make progress.

Weight is down 14 lbs. hoping that trend continues.

Hi declutterers!

Nice job, Tami, with the scale moving down as you continue your journey. Mine isn't moving down much but not moving up, either. I'm happy with that.

Today work comes early and I'm trying to be mindful of DH as he tries to work back into a routine here. Thus, I slept later than usual. Everything is pretty clean since I left it that way credit. I'm trying to get my travel box unpacked before work. Tomorrow is a day off which I'm looking forward to. Perhaps I'll be able to locate a little more "old clutter". lol

the insiduousness of clutter
 

Hello

I'm sitting wondering if I have a "clutter mentality"? Or maybe a pre-disposition to clutter things up? I say this because my art submission was cluttered. TOO MANY ideas and arms to the proposal. After sorting it out with 2 trusted friends over the phone the idea shone through. I had it, but it as waaaay too complicated with too many layers. I stripped it back and proposed something much simpler and therefore more direct, which is what you want in a proposal and in a project.

And no I have an opportunity to show work to a gallery owner via a connection my sister made for me on Thursday. I need to contact her asap, but my blog, which is my website, the one that showcases my artwork, is incomplete and not updated. I have to go through my jpg files and find the right ones and post them there.

And, finally, I am off to guild to drop off tea room supplies (it's open today and tomorrow) and to see if I can remove the pottery from the porch and get it into the car. Yesterday I bought heavy duty grocery shopping bags just for this purpose. Will report back later.

Thanks Lexxiss for locating my post! Apparently 3fc runs a good site where we can find things easily!

UPDATE: guild porch cleaned up. 4 bags worth of donated pots now in my studio.
Car trunck also relieved of many items. Now to donate 3 winter coats that were too small for my mom. *credit*

Hi declutterers!

Yes, onebyone, I notice that I do have a clutter mentality. Where I notice it the most right now is as I am continually trying to keep that current clutter at bay. My office is always the worst and looking around it seems I haven't done anything for weeks when the reality is I had it picked up Friday when I arrived back here....

So...I will continue to persist!

Clean-already done...kitchen sink FL style.

Old clutter-picked up the old knitting project. I am going to make a big dent in it today.

Current clutter-I am going to get dressed (FL style) and time myself....the goal to have all the current stuff picked up. I will report back.

Hi to all,

Not much going on my way. Made food to send back to college with my son. Cleaned mess and then have dinners made here for 3 nights. Will work on upstairs office even if I don't want to. No choice.

Talk with you all later, in funky mood since son left. Happy for him , always sad to see my kids go. All part of life's process.

Hi declutterers!

I once again pondered on the power of routine as I completed my daily stuff. I actually enjoyed putting everything away...cleaning the cat box and working on the old knitting project, even if for just 5 minutes. Progress is progress.

I noticed, too, how much DH is pitching into the morning routine. He made smoothies and picked up in the kitchen. When I went to get the laundry he had already taken it upstairs AND had made the bed. I think the more I stay in routine the more he is finding that he wants to be a part of it.

Back later....gotta head off to work.

Good morning all!

Cleaned out pantry and organized food. I have the refrigerator on my list after morning conference call. Getting some mojo back to push to the next project. I like waking up finding the house picked up. (credit) I did that before bed last night.

Progress is progress. Not perfection, as perfection is pure fiction. Carry on, decluttering friends.

dents and dings
 

Decluttering Folks

Made a dent myself in organizing my computer files so I can take advantage of unexpected opportunites to pursue opportunities. What's that saying? Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I am get ready to be lucky my friends!

I also added new work to my art blog and my reg. blog and am considering finally setting up a website again. I like the blogs a lot. Super easy to do and to add to. But I can't show all the categories that I work in. You need to search it to find stuff and older posts are tough to get unless you search.

For me, this falls under decluttering. You wouldn't believe how many places I have files related to artwork I have done. And I have big files and smaller thumbnails all depending on where they will be used. I really should get a dedicated portable hard drive just for my artwork. Actually this is not a bad solution. Gather them all up onto one hard drive. Hmmm.

House-wise I bought a small white table (16" wide) to go between the useless pedestal sink in the bathroom and the little wall that juts out cause that's where my linen closet is. We don't have a medicine cabinet, just a closet with shelves. No shelves anywhere else in the bathroom, just the pedestal sink, the edge of the tub, a holder for stuff in the shower, screwed into the tile (!) and the window sill of the small window. One small bar for hand towels. Two ceramic hooks for one towel each. It's a poor set up. I got really tired of having my toothbrush hang around here and there. DH keeps his in the closet, the thought of which drives me crazy. So I found this little table with a drawer and a door with two shelves inside. Bought a little vanity set: toothbrush holder, soap dish (a bit too big) and a hand soap pump. Then I got new towels, which was the catalyst cause DH could not find a clean towel this morning. I'm tired of living like a student, y'know? Using everyone's hand-me-downs. So I bought 2 face cloths, 2 hand towels, 2 bath towels, not great quality but everything goes together for the first time in my life. And as a bonus I got 6 fake battery operated candles (cause of cats) and an inexpensive white dish to put them on so I can move them when/where I want to. Now I can have a bath without having to listen to the overhead fan cause it's on when the light turns on. Makes having a bath NOT relaxing. The cashier saw my stuff and said "You must have a very sophisticated bathroom." "I'm trying," I said.

Still not sure how to best use the space in the new table though. I think if I can free up one shelf in that linen closet for, oh, linens, :rofl: that might be a place to start.

I'm aiming to get a bunch of decluttering stuff done this week and next. Need another list, but not tonight. I am ex-haus-ted. Bye for now.

Hi declutterers!

Nice onebyone! I wish I had a functional bathtub.

In a rush this morning....will still find time to pick up current clutter...make bed...etc.credit