January 17 - A bit from Andrew's Room and everywhere else

1 kids workbench
1 baby gate
1 box with about 10 things in it

January 21

1 box with 12 baby things in and 1 garbage bag with 10 baby things in to sent my friends house where it will get used!!!!

12 + 12 + 10 = 34
1777 - 34 = 1743 things left to fling!


We have flung 268 things!

January 22

1 kids easel sent to Value Village
1 box with old ski pants, toys, indoor grill, and stuff - counting as 10
1 big box with Halloween decorations, baby puzzles, toys, and stuff from Andrew's room - counting as 20
our old set of dishes - about 5 mugs, 5 big plates and 2 little plates ('where are the bowls?' you ask...well they all broke months ago.  it seems we're clumsy)

1 +10 + 20 + 12 = 43
1743 - 43 = 1700 things left to fling
We have flung 311 things!

I realize that this first few months of flinging will be easier then the last few months of flinging.  There is so much around my house right now that we don't use, no longer need, is broken, or is just simply garbage (ahem, I'm talking to you junk mail pile).

January 14 - I decided to work in the Kitchen this afternoon as Husband and Child are not here and I'm free to keep, donate, or throw out whatever I want.  I've got Season 1 of Buried Alive (TLC's show about Hoarding) on for motivation and I'm making Onion Soup too.


Garbage
1 empty plastic pkging
1 lid to a container...but where the container is?  we're not sure...
1 container of some kind of fruity ice mix for drinks which my friend gave me for my birthday the year Andrew was born - so it's like 4 years old
1 piece of long foamy plastic (I think it was from when we had a couch that had a slipcover?)
1 pkg of cake mix (again, from my Mom...probably expired)
1 gross horribly old cough syrup (that my Grandma gave to us to use after my Grandpa died....in 2007)
1 mostly used pkg of heart-worm pills
1 kids dental kit that I found under the sink and it's all gross
5 little bits of paper and stupid things like a belt hook and magnets missing the magnet

13


Recycling
1 ancient ancient bottle red vinegar - down the drain and bottle into recycling
1 jar of ancient coffee from the first time Steve's parents came to visit...so like 2006
3 big plastic lid to some kind of container
1 jar that had old dried fruit in it

6

Donate
5 Frisbees (I'm pretty sure my Mom gave these to us because her old dog liked them - there was 6, I kept 1)
Package of Child Safety Stuff (plug covers, door handle covers,etc) - counting it as 5
4 toys
1 book
4 VHS movies
1 old lunch bag
1 dog harness


1827 - 13 - 6 - 21 = 1787 things to FLING
We've flung 224 things!!!

January 15 - Still working on the Kitchen...It's crazy how food and spices pile up and get old and then sits there because it's old and you don't want to use it.

2 containers of cocoa powder...I think.  the pkgs are unmarked...
1 container of Chinese Five Spice that I bought right after I got married (so like 6 years ago)
1 pkg of dill weed that we've had for years (probably like 6 now) 
1 container of onion salt that I got months before I even met Husband
1 pkg of poorly stored croutons
4 empty jars

1787 - 10 = 1777 things to fling!

I think I will do a monthly post about what we have flung.  Or maybe 2 posts.  Or maybe more.

It might be real detailed. And It might not.  I don't want to commit to anything at this point.

There are 365 days in the year 2011 and if I fling 5.5 (ish) things a day I will accomplish my goal!  Or 167 (ish) flings a month!  Or 38 (ish) flings a week!


January Flings!

5 - Went through Andrew's clothes
5 - Went through My clothes
5 - Went through Husbands clothes
5 - Big Bag of random garbage (papers and stuff)


I'm sure there was lots more...but I did this before I started counting.  But it's a good start.

2011 - 20 = 1991 things to fling!

1 BIG box that I filled with....

1 old scale
1 mouse pad
1 magic bullet cookbook
1 old belt
2 pairs of pants (that I don't think I ever wore but purchased because they were $5 each)
1 shirt that I've always hated, but still kept for some reason
1 stupid teddy bear that my aunt bought me when i was like 25
1 set of safety something or others that we never used
1 discman circa 2000
1 toddler inflatable toy
1 lame key laniard
1 commodore 64 joystick
1 pkg of flags (don't ask)
1 bag that I don't even know where it came from
1 bob the builder puppet for babies
1 pair of infant mitts
2 books
1 dictionary
5 random toys of Andrew's (snuck those in there)
1 pair of reindeer ears from christmas concert 2009
1 popcorn bucket from Planet 51

27 things!  We are taking that sucker to VV today to donate.

I've also filled another garbage with random 'stuff' that I've found along the way - guesstimating it to be 12 things.

1991 - 27 - 12  = 1952 things to fling!

Today we have flung the following into recycling and it feels good not to have the boxes linger around the house:


1 empty TV box
2 empty Dish Boxes
1 empty crock pot box (it was huge!)
Bag of Christmas Paper and other papers - counting it as 2
2 empty mailing tubes that I've been keeping for god knows how long, for god knows what reason
4 98% empty shampoo/conditioner/body wash bottles that have just been lingering in the bathroom for ages

We have also flung from the bathroom:

3 expired and ancient over the counter medication bottles
1 half used hair product that my Mom gave to me because she didn't like it.  Thanks Mom.
2 bottles of ancient lotions that have been around since Andrew was at least a baby.

1952 - 12 - 6 = 1934 things to fling!
We've flung 77 items!

Going through the Bathroom today illustrated why purging and flinging is important to do on a regular basis in this house.  Under the bathroom sink and on the sink and on the shelf I found 3 packages of opened Tampons.  I should not have to buy Tampons for at least a year.  In the past though, when I need them I can't see them because they're behind something or under a pile of other things or just not where I'd expect them to be so we run out and purchase more...and then the same situation repeats itself.  This happens with a variety of things.  Pens.  Yarn.  Socks (I will not tell you how many packages of brand new socks we have--okay, I will--there's 3 and they are mostly full still and our sock drawer is FULL to the brim with socks).  You get the
idea.

Some More January Flings - January 12
We have started the process of going through Andrew's toys and working on getting him to donate, keep, or throw away his toys.  He has a lot of little toys (his favourite toys are the McDonald's happy meal toys).  So far his keeps are at 2 boxes and a laundry basket with 3 boxes to donate and 1 big bag of garbage.

I'd say we've gone through about 25% of his stuff.  I totally did this Clean Sweep Style (anyone remember that show?) and I was the Host pressuring him to make prompt decisions, not change his mind, and probe why needed to keep something.  It worked well.  I let him win sometimes (ie. he's keeping that damn stuffed snake that he never plays with) and sometimes we over rode him (ie. we got rid of the mini toy car garage because we don't have the cars that fit it anymore).  I think the majority of stuff that's left is keeper stuff and now that we've gotten rid of so much we can actually put it in his toy box and in his room.


2 Boxes of Baby Toys/Books with about 12 things in each of them.
1 Giant box of toys with things in it like 2 train sets, old cars, tiger headband, plastic tools, McD's toys, rattles, baby toys, blocks with about 30 things in it
1 bag of garbage filled with broken toys like cars, McD's toys, puzzles missing pieces,  random broken Mr. Potato Head stuff, little bits of toys that we couldn't even identify - probably about 50 things.
1 Sit Upon Rocking Horse
2 child chairs

1934 - 107 = 1827 things to Fling!  (1827 - hah, that makes me think of Pioneer Times)
We've Flung 184 things!

So, lets hash these goals out some more.  Figure out what exactly I want to do in 2011. 

Let's start out with #1 on the list

1. Health And Wellness

• Read 25 books in 2011 - Pretty self explanatory and easy to track with a sidebar.
• Fling 2011 Things in 2011 - Anything that leaves the house either to the garbage, donating, selling, or giving away counts EXCEPT for paper.  I'm not sure exactly how to deal with paper.  1 piece of paper cannot count for 1 thing (or can it?).  Maybe 5 pieces of paper will equal 1 item?  Or I could just decide as I go along.  This is also easy to track with a sidebar.  I may or may not blog about all the items we get rid of (I mean, do I really want to come on here and post every time we throw out a tupperware container that we can't find a lid for? -- probably not). 
  
  We need to focus on purging toys, paperwork, kitchen related items, and my Dad's stuff (tools mostly) that has taken up space in the basement.
• I want to eat better and exercise more.  - Still not sure about this one...might just stay as a general goal.
  
  I have been playing badminton at lunch with the guys once or twice a week.  I definitely want to keep that up.  I want to go for family walks again.  I definitely want to walk the dog more.  I want to exercise at home again.  I am going to think about this more.
• Weekly Honey-Do Jar - Pretty self explanatory and easy to track with a sidebar.  1 Jar, items written on paper and in the jar, 1 Honey-Do drawn each week.  I don't want these to be stressful or all to time consuming things though.  Stuff like 'arrange cutlery drawer', 'clean fridge', 'vacuum stairs' (something we never seem to do) are good.  I am wondering if there should be 2 jars - 1 with things Husband is good at doing and 1 with things I'm good at doing?

I took some pictures of my 'stash' and I think it's clear I've developed a little bit of a problem.  The sad thing is this, that's not even all of my stash.  I have a whole other 3 drawer stand full of bits of yarn and a smaller container full of yo-yo's waiting to be joined into something,

You can see below that I've got a bunch of sweaters lined up to unravel.  I've had these sweaters for almost 2 years now.  I bought about 6 or 7 when I very first learned how to unravel...and for the most part they've just been sitting in the tub...waiting....

I've also got some projects that I've started and never finished.  See that blue and pink mess, that's a round ripple that I lost interest in rather quickly.

My new mission is to DE-STASH.  & I don't mean just not buy any new stuff, but to actively use up my thread!  I'm also thinking that I shouldn't accept any 'new' yarn donations from well meaning grandma's until I've got my stash undercontrol.

I'd like for it to only be 1 tub and the bag and maybe the 3 drawer stand.

I've blogged about de-cluttering twice now. Here and here. Of my original list I had 4 areas that still needed de-cluttering or were in progress. I thought I would give an update about what's happening.

As before, green is a good update and red is the not so good update...

* ANDREWS BEDROOM - HIS CLOTHES: we sort through them every couple months and still somehow they end up all crazy again days later. i hate little kid clothes. seriously. Update: We have gone through Andrews clothes and separated the winter from summer stuff (and tucked away the summer stuff). We have also taken out all the clothes he doesn't fit anymore--There was quite a bit of those! We put the clothes in bags...but haven't done anything with them...they are just sitting in the basement now.

* MASTER BEDROOM - OUR CLOTHES: need to take out old and not worn clothes. same as always. Update: We still haven't tackled this one. & we are still working on putting the clothes away after cleaning them. It's a never ending battle.

* BASEMENT - SHELVING UNIT: it's a zoo down there. i think the animals rearranged when i wasn't looking. *sigh* Update: Same as before--Even zooier. It's crazy down there.

* ANDREWS TOYS - these are strewn about the house and really we need to get rid of his infant toys and only have the ones he plays with. Updated: We continue to work on this one. I have taken 2 boxes of toys to church to donate there to the nursery. We have put more toys away so he is not overwhelmed with what to play with.

What I've started learning is de-cluttering is an on-going process. We accumulate stuff easily for some reason. It needs to stop! I want a clutter free home!

I blogged about de-cluttering a few weeks back. I have been working on it slowly, but surely. I get such a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment when I make something nice and orderly.

Here is my list and what i've accomplished:

THE PLAN OF ATTACK -- Update (green being a good update and red being a not so good update)

* KITCHEN - CUTLERY DRAWER: somehow all the cutlery that i had in a box stored in the basement got unpacked by a certain husband and dumped into the cutlery drawer. now it's overflowing and nothing fits. i need to get rid of about 100 spoons. Update: Cutlery drawer is good to go. It is so nice not having it overflow and become a huge pile. Pleased to say, this was a success.

* LIVING ROOM - ENTERTAINMENT UNIT: our movies and tv shows are out of control. nothing has cases and there's CDs mixed up everywhere. got to get a system of some kind. Updated: Discs are organized! They are in cases with labels and not piled everywhere. Music is with music, movies with movies, tv shows with tv shows, and andrew's stuff all in one case.

* BATHROOOM - UNDER THE SINK: just needs to be cleaned out and the old stuff thrown out and maybe a nice basket for everything to sit in. Update: I started this and there really wasn't all that much under the sink...it was just thrown haphazardly made to look like a junk pile. i have now identified that I don't need to buy tampons for about a year because I found 5 boxes. Everything is in a basket now.

* 3RD BEDROOM - COMPUTER DESK: is a crazy mess of tiny little pieces of receipts. 'nuff said. Updated: I cheated on this one and got the hubster to clean it off. He did a good job.

* ANDREWS BEDROOM - HIS CLOTHES: we sort through them every couple months and still somehow they end up all crazy again days later. i hate little kid clothes. seriously. Update: Haven't even started. :( Although we are working on containing his clothes to his bedroom.

* MASTER BEDROOM - OUR CLOTHES: need to take out old and not worn clothes. same as always. Update: Negatory on this one too. Although we are working very hard at putting the clothes away after laundering them... This is helping...

* BASEMENT - SHELVING UNIT: it's a zoo down there. i think the animals rearranged when i wasn't looking. *sigh* Update: Even zooier. It's crazy down there.

* ANDREWS TOYS - these are strewn about the house and really we need to get rid of his infant toys and only have the ones he plays with. Updated: we started this. All his cars have been put in a bucket and put away for the minute. I put a bunch of toys that he's too old for and have them in a box ready to go to church to be donated to the nursery. There is still much to do though.

So, I figure it's not such a bad update. I've done five of the eight areas. I'll keep plugging away and probably identifying new areas that need help (ie. craft area).

when clutter takes over, i can't think. seriously. i know it sounds completely doolally, but it's true. it starts so small. some junk mail comes and instead of throwing it out it gets shuffled into my important papers basket. i go to a work seminar and bring home the pamphlets and notes and they get added to the basket (i used to call it a bin...but since meeting steve i can't do that. bin = garbage can in british speak...i'd say it's in the bin and he'd go looking in the garbage). throw in some magazines, cards, receipts and before you know it you have a mountain of dead trees. the pile gets so big you need a whole other basket and eventually the paper takes over a room. you see where this is going.

it's so easy to become overwhelmed with paper and all the other 'stuff' in a house. the basement has really become a lost land. anything that we don't want to deal with goes into the basement (except for bills, even though we don't want to deal with them they haven't made their way into the basement--yet). what was once a wide open empty space is no almost packed to the ceiling in parts.

today i declare, THE DECLUTTERING MUST BEGIN! i've had it. totally had it.

i tackled most of the paper last weekend. everything paper related is in one container all filed all nicely. steve bought me a shredder and i've been madly shredding everyhting with personal information. now i've got the shredder on the kitchen counter and as things come in i've been shredding them. it feels so good to not have the mountain of paper.

THE PLAN OF ATTACK -- i'm going to identify 1 area that needs decluttering in every room in the house and go from there...

• KITCHEN - CUTLERY DRAWER: somehow all the cutlery that i had in a box stored in the basement got unpacked by a certain husband and dumped into the cutlery drawer. now it's overflowing and nothing fits. i need to get rid of about 100 spoons.
• LIVING ROOM - ENTERTAINMENT UNIT: our movies and tv shows are out of control. nothing has cases and there's CDs mixed up everywhere. got to get a system of some kind.
• BATHROOOM - UNDER THE SINK: just needs to be cleaned out and the old stuff thrown out and maybe a nice basket for everything to sit in.
• 3RD BEDROOM - COMPUTER DESK: is a crazy mess of tiny little pieces of receipts. 'nuff said.
• ANDREWS BEDROOM - HIS CLOTHES: we sort through them every couple months and still somehow they end up all crazy again days later. i hate little kid clothes. seriously.
• MASTER BEDROOM - OUR CLOTHES: need to take out old and not worn clothes. same as always.
• BASEMENT - SHELVING UNIT: it's a zoo down there. i think the animals rearranged when i wasn't looking. *sigh*
• ANDREWS TOYS - these are strewn about the house and really we need to get rid of his infant toys and only have the ones he plays with.

i wonder how long all this is going to take me? & i promise i won't turn into the fly-lady.