40/40 challenge ~ First Friday Check-in

amelisha

Guys, look at how clean this grout is. It is so clean. I wore FI's volleyball kneepads and Magic Erased for like an hour, it was wonderful.

Knottie67053264

I was exhausted from throwing away remote controls, but I DID get all my tax stuff organized and ready to turn in Monday to my CPA and I went through the "TO Be Filed" box on my desk.  I threw most of it away. I am now drinking a beer and reveling in my ability to get things done.  I really do love this thread -thanks for getting it -and me-going!

WinstonsGirl

Cleaning/de-cluttering is my summer job, cos I have time to do it.  But I did get my RRSP's topped up for the year and opened a TFSA in place of my regular savings account.  I'll take that this weekend.  

I really want to do the mud room closets though.  DH is the biggest clothes horse I have ever met and 3/4 of that closet is his stuff that he never wears anymore.  

lyndausvi

WinstonsGirl said:

Cleaning/de-cluttering is my summer job, cos I have time to do it.  But I did get my RRSP's topped up for the year and opened a TFSA in place of my regular savings account.  I'll take that this weekend.  

I really want to do the mud room closets though.  DH is the biggest clothes horse I have ever met and 3/4 of that closet is his stuff that he never wears anymore.  

This x 1000

DH has way more clothes then I have.  Yet some how I see the same 3 shirts for 6 months.  That is until he buys 4-5 more shirts and those get pushed aside.   He find 3 of those 5 to wear all the time. Ever 6 months, rinse and repeat.

WinstonsGirl

lyndausvi said:

WinstonsGirl said:

Cleaning/de-cluttering is my summer job, cos I have time to do it.  But I did get my RRSP's topped up for the year and opened a TFSA in place of my regular savings account.  I'll take that this weekend.  

I really want to do the mud room closets though.  DH is the biggest clothes horse I have ever met and 3/4 of that closet is his stuff that he never wears anymore.  

This x 1000

DH has way more clothes then I have.  Yet some how I see the same 3 shirts for 6 months.  That is until he buys 4-5 more shirts and those get pushed aside.   He find 3 of those 5 to wear all the time. Ever 6 months, rinse and repeat.

Yup.  And he keeps buying the same stuff.  But he claims it's all different cos one long sleeve button down shirt and buttons and the other has snaps.  He has also brought home the exact same shirt he already owns.  At least he takes those back once I point it out.  

jenna8984

Well we hadn't planned on listing the house for about two months but the Realtor decided let's do it in two weeks before we leave for Europe. Aaah. So today we filled 3 huge plastic totes of clothes and kitchen stuff. Brought them DHs parent's house so that our closets and cabinets look bigger and unfull. Then we filled a huge contractor garbage bag worth of donate and one worth of garbage. Woo its only been a day! Determine to get this list-ready

ohannabelle

I got inspired as well, and cleaned out and organized the kitchen cupboards.

I really need to start on the basement, but my back is just not up to moving furniture. So small steps for now, and I'll tackle The Room Of Requirement later.

Knottie67053264

A big YES to Winstonsgirl!  My DSO has turned a bedroom into a closet-racks and everything!  Is it because Men's fashion styles don't change as often as women's? ....but he still has like 4 old one piece snow skiing suits that no one will ever wear again...bet if they were gone he wouldn't notice?  HAH!  I, however, love getting rid of clothing.

blabla89

Inspired by @amelisha I started cleaning the grout today. Only finished the bathroom and 1/4 of the kitchen before my knees needed a break, but hey, it's a start.

theartistformerlyknownas

I'm going to tackle the bathroom cabinets today (throwing away all the 3+ year old sunless tanner, bottles of shampoo formulated for hair colors I don't have anymore, and FORTHELOVEOFGOD why do I have so many scented lotions? And hopefully at least start the one major junk pile in the spare room, that's stacked with boxes of picture frames I never unpacked. 

rcher912

FI's mom, who recently passed, had 3 brass trivets that we now have in our house that are just gross. Today's project is polishing them.

I'm going to need a lot of paper towels!!!!

lyndausvi

rcher912 said:

FI's mom, who recently passed, had 3 brass trivets that we now have in our house that are just gross. Today's project is polishing them.

I'm going to need a lot of paper towels!!!!

I prefer using an old t-shirt or pillow case.    It stands up to the polish and movement way better.  Plus the don't leave lint.

ashley8918

Goodbye, crap-overloaded nightstand!

blabla89

lolo883 said:

I'm going to tackle the bathroom cabinets today (throwing away all the 3+ year old sunless tanner, bottles of shampoo formulated for hair colors I don't have anymore, and FORTHELOVEOFGOD why do I have so many scented lotions? And hopefully at least start the one major junk pile in the spare room, that's stacked with boxes of picture frames I never unpacked. 

Ah yes, the graveyard of personal products. I keep all the products I don't use regularly in a plastic tub in the linen closet. It's probably time to just dump the whole thing...

lc07

blabla89 said:

lolo883 said:

I'm going to tackle the bathroom cabinets today (throwing away all the 3+ year old sunless tanner, bottles of shampoo formulated for hair colors I don't have anymore, and FORTHELOVEOFGOD why do I have so many scented lotions? And hopefully at least start the one major junk pile in the spare room, that's stacked with boxes of picture frames I never unpacked. 

Ah yes, the graveyard of personal products. I keep all the products I don't use regularly in a plastic tub in the linen closet. It's probably time to just dump the whole thing...

Yeah, and I'm likely to find medicine that expired in 2009.

jenna8984

Holy fucking shit you guys. Be careful to look inside pockets of things before you ditch them. The closet that I cleaned out yesterday had an old purse that I threw out. I shot awake in bed at 6am today having a heart attack because the little zipper pocket had a $2,000 diamond bracelet in it (a gift from my mom). I jumped out of bed and rummaged through the garbage and recovered it. I'm a weirdo about hiding valuable items and not just leaving them in plain sight, so that if anyone broke into my house they wouldn't find it just sitting out. Wow that was so close- I've been meaning to get it insured which I will now, and I'll be finding a better place to keep these things, like you know, a fucking safe or something. 

theartistformerlyknownas

jenna8984 said:

Holy fucking shit you guys. Be careful to look inside pockets of things before you ditch them. The closet that I cleaned out yesterday had an old purse that I threw out. I shot awake in bed at 6am today having a heart attack because the little zipper pocket had a $2,000 diamond bracelet in it (a gift from my mom). I jumped out of bed and rummaged through the garbage and recovered it. I'm a weirdo about hiding valuable items and not just leaving them in plain sight, so that if anyone broke into my house they wouldn't find it just sitting out. Wow that was so close- I've been meaning to get it insured which I will now, and I'll be finding a better place to keep these things, like you know, a fucking safe or something. 

Gurl. Seriously, get a better storage spot! Holy crap. There are like a hundred options beside plain sight and hidden in a crappy purse.

lyndausvi

lc07 said:

blabla89 said:

lolo883 said:

I'm going to tackle the bathroom cabinets today (throwing away all the 3+ year old sunless tanner, bottles of shampoo formulated for hair colors I don't have anymore, and FORTHELOVEOFGOD why do I have so many scented lotions? And hopefully at least start the one major junk pile in the spare room, that's stacked with boxes of picture frames I never unpacked. 

Ah yes, the graveyard of personal products. I keep all the products I don't use regularly in a plastic tub in the linen closet. It's probably time to just dump the whole thing...

Yeah, and I'm likely to find medicine that expired in 2009.

yep

rcher912

lolo883 said:

Holy fucking shit you guys. Be careful to look inside pockets of things before you ditch them. The closet that I cleaned out yesterday had an old purse that I threw out. I shot awake in bed at 6am today having a heart attack because the little zipper pocket had a $2,000 diamond bracelet in it (a gift from my mom). I jumped out of bed and rummaged through the garbage and recovered it. I'm a weirdo about hiding valuable items and not just leaving them in plain sight, so that if anyone broke into my house they wouldn't find it just sitting out. Wow that was so close- I've been meaning to get it insured which I will now, and I'll be finding a better place to keep these things, like you know, a fucking safe or something. 

Gurl. Seriously, get a better storage spot! Holy crap. There are like a hundred options beside plain sight and hidden in a crappy purse.

At least make it a nice purse you plan to keep!!!! Yikes. I know what you mean, though, about not wanting that ish in plain sight. My FI's grandmother's engagement ring (which was supposed to be mine eventually, per his mother) was stolen when someone broke into their house a few years back. They were both devastated.

ashley8918

ashley8918 said:

Alright, folks. I have my list. Posting for accountability - if I told the internet about it, I can't NOT do it.

Bathroom: Closet floor

Bathroom: Closet shelves

Bathroom: Floor

Bathroom: Under sink/vanity

Bedroom: Behind TV dresser DONE

Bedroom: Closet Whoooooooo! DONE!

Bedroom: Dan's dresser DONE

Bedroom: Floor

Bedroom: My dresser DONE

Bedroom: Nightstands DONE

Bedroom: TV dresser DONE

Bedroom: Under my bed

Bedroom: Scentsy shelves

Dining Room: Art supplies dresser

Dining Room: Dan's exercise shit

Dining Room: Floor

Kid's Room: Closet

Kid's Room: Floor

Kid's Room: Toy box

Kid's Room: Under/behind Ry's bed

Kitchen: "Pantry" cabinets

Kitchen: Above stove cabinets

Kitchen: Bottom kitchen cabinets

Kitchen: Breakfast bar cabinets

Kitchen: Countertops

Kitchen: Dishes top cabinets

Kitchen: Floor

Kitchen: Fridge & freezer

Kitchen: Top of fridge & above fridge cabinets

Laundry Room: Shelves

Living Room: Chrismas tree corner

Living Room: Coat closet

Living Room: Computer desk

Living Room: Left bookshelf

Living Room: Loveseat

Living Room: My "crap corner"

Living Room: Right bookshelf

Living Room: TV stand area

Living Room: Under/behind couch ======================================================

Don't mind me. Just keeping track.

[Deleted User]

I only allow myself to have a certain number of magazines from Food Network, so when a new month comes, I take the oldest, rip out the recipes and articles I want to scan so I can save them permanently and recycle the rest of it (and the torn pages once scanned).

Today I got through 3 months worth of scans so my pile is now gone from the living room!

Yay!

The next challenge is to get them digitally sorted / filed but this was a good first step.

charcoalandblush

Copying @ashley8918 and posting my list here so I will shame myself into doing this shit.

Kitchen: Cabinet under the sink Done!

Kitchen: Pantry (4 shelves)

Kitchen: Baking supply drawers (3)

Kitchen: Cabinets above stove

Kitchen: Spice cabinet

Kitchen: Cabinet above fridge

Kitchen: Shelf above fridge

Kitchen: Fridge

Coat Closet: Top shelves

Coat Closet: Coats/Hangers

Coat Closet: Bottom/Cubes

Coat Closet: Purses

Desk: Printer stand drawers

Desk: Printer stand junk corner

Desk: Top drawer

Desk: Bottom drawer

Desk: "In" and "Out" boxes

Desk: Surface

Bathroom: Bottom drawer

Bathroom: Top drawer

Bathroom: Counter

Bathroom: Shower and shelves

Bedroom: Night stand

Bedroom: Jewelry box

Bedroom: Shoe rack

Bedroom: Shoe baskets

Bedroom: Underbed

Bedroom closet: Boxes in the bottom of closet

Bedroom closet: Low rod (shirts)

Bedroom closet: High rod (work clothes/dresses)

Bedroom closet: Workout clothes

Bedroom closet: Jeans

Bedroom closet: T-shirts

Bedroom closet: Socks

Bedroom closet: Tights/stockings/leggings

I'm doing real bad with this... Hopefully I'll get caught up with a couple today!

slothiegal

Ha, I hadn't heard of this, but just read the challenge out to slothieguy.  He looked at me with horror and said, "Forty days of decluttering?  We won't have any shit left."  One perk to living in a space the size of a postage stamp, I suppose.

theartistformerlyknownas

@ashley8918‌ you are KILLING IT.

ashley8918

lolo883 said:

@ashley8918‌ you are KILLING IT.

I am a damn cleaning MACHINE this week. I am so pleased with myself right now.

But, as you may have noticed, I have been sticking to the bedroom so far. Which happened to already be te cleanest part of the house. Ahem.

[Deleted User]

slothiegal said:

Ha, I hadn't heard of this, but just read the challenge out to slothieguy.  He looked at me with horror and said, "Forty days of decluttering?  We won't have any shit left."  One perk to living in a space the size of a postage stamp, I suppose.

This is me and Feeley too- tiny space. We only moved in about 4 months ago and were careful about what we brought In. That's why I'm not doing the exact challenge but I am going to be cleaning up the disorganized parts of the house. Kinda been doing that all along but the longer I live here the more I find better ways to store and arrange things.

theartistformerlyknownas

Um we have prospective buyers coming to our house on Tuesday. It's not even listed yet but our agent might have a buyer. COMMENCE PANIC MODE.

Can I get a Home Alone scream gif up in here?

ashley8918

lolo883 said:

Um we have prospective buyers coming to our house on Tuesday. It's not even listed yet but our agent might have a buyer. COMMENCE PANIC MODE. Can I get a Home Alone scream gif up in here?

Wegl13

So I'm behind the times but I'm joining in on the fun. We just moved into our house a few months ago and generally tried to declutter BEFORE the move, but I have this annoying habit of having several boxes of *stuff* that have always kind of just lived in my office and going through them is, apparently, the most unappealable thing in the world! as they have now survived two moves (one of which involved everything I owned living in a 5x5 storage unit for 3 months).
I also have four years worth of paper notes from school. Since I graduated (almost two years ago), my goal has been to go through each class, type the notes up and summarize them (good review!), then chunk the main notes. The problem is we are talking a four drawer filing cabinet FULL OF KNOWLEDGE. It's so overwhelming I've barely touched it.
Anyways so tonight I made my list and there is one day for each of the 12 (TWELVE!) random boxes of crap in my (um... Our) office, and one day each for 10 classes (I purposefully picked out small, interesting classes: going through some of those big files is like a 5 hour job). Also the car, the purse, and the nightstand, which all live in a constant state of disarray.
Obviously I'm behind a bit, so I did three today! 1. Garbage. I emptied all the garbage cans. 2. First school folder. 3. I decluttered my computers desktop and got rid of/updated a bunch of files. This is way more impressive when you realize I bought this computer in June 2006 and have used it exclusively through 7 years of college. BOOM.

lc07

I wish you guys would come over and sit and drink wine with me while I organize.