40/40 Monday Morning check-in

photokitty · February 2015

This is the Monday morning check-in for knotty moral support going into the work week and a place to brag about what you did over the weekend. Or ask for shaming for not doing anything to motivate you for this week!

What did purge/clean/declutter this weekend?

What are you planning to do this week?

Did you take Sunday off?

*****************

This a forty day period in the spring (coinciding with the 40 days of Lent) where you focus on cleaning one area per day. In this one area you challenge yourself to declutter, simplify, decrapify, and get rid of things you don’t need. We started on Weds, Feb 18 and will go to April 4. Youc an join us at any time - today on day 3 or day 39!

Some knotties are ridding out one bag a day, some more, some less. Others (like me) are striving to organzine/ clean/ declutter one space per day. It could be a room, a table, a cabinet or your inbox - there aren't any rules.

There's a handy dandy worksheet and other info here: http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/40-bags-in-40-days-2015/

*****************

Last week we learned @ashley8918 is a cool mom in velour jumpsuit with a fucking toy box (sadly not what you're thinking) and she cleaned her nightstand (if she's like me that's the fucking toy box).

@wandajune6 learned the sweet reward of cleaning out the fridge!

@southernbelle0915 has as many coats as I do - and she's motivating me to go through mine...I love coats.

Knottie67053264 wins the award for most random bag - 21 remotes

amelisha is the Grout Cleaning Queen - for obvious reason I want her to tackle the tub next with her magic easer, I'm certainblabla89 to get on her knees and clean the bathroom - did you clean the caulk Bla???

lyndausvi into declutter - come to the darkside with us (we have fucking toy boxes)!!

ohannabelle I have a "Gift Closet" but I don't have a The Room Of Requirement, what is this? Do I want one??

lolo883 is going to have the best smelling stretch free tummy with all he scented lotions she uncovered. Hopefully you found some good picture frames for photos of the new baby

rcher912 is the Polishing Princess - I have dirty jokes, but I think they are a stretch since she was polishing trivets. So I'll just giggle to myself.

lc07 to drink wine and watch her clean, Wegl13 will show us the proper techniquejenna8984 's to check her trash for valuables

Glad you recovered that bracelet! Then we can Viczaesar new tv!

ashley8918 · February 2015

photokitty said:

Last week we learned @ashley8918 is a cool mom in velour jumpsuit with a fucking toy box (sadly not what you're thinking) and she cleaned her nightstand (if she's like me that's the fucking toy box).

You know it, ladies!

And actually, I do have a box in my nightstand of... stuff, sooooo....

ashley8918 · February 2015

Oh, and I'd like to add Dan's porn drawer to my list, because I was brave and cleaned that shit out this weekend. Bunch of dusty ass Hustlers and terrible 90's fuck movies.

amelisha · February 2015

This recap is amazing.

Unfortunately (?), my shower is already pristine so I don't need to go there with the Magic Erasers, haha. We have a tub/shower combo and I'm a bubble bath fan so that thing gets doused with Scrubbing Bubbles foam and scrubbed a couple times a week so I can have clean and peaceful bathtime...away from FI and our roommate. I think I know how moms feel sometimes when I get to lock the door and pour half a bottle of Philosophy bubble bath under the faucet and have no one bug me for an hour.

After I did the grout on Saturday and took off my kneepads I took Sunday pretty much off, just did my regular bathroom clean.

Tonight, though, I'm pulling out the oven and cleaning underneath and behind it. I get a pretty sick glee from doing it, actually, because while it's a bit gross it is also SO satisfying, and I get to yell "who managed to get broccoli under here?!" and other similar things at the guys in the living room while I do it and provide a running commentary about the things I find, like mummified French fries and stuff they obviously just pushed under the stove with the Swiffer instead of actually picking it up.

lmcooper86 · February 2015

I didn't clean/declutter anything Friday or Saturday, I was sick and barely moved from the couch. I am going to try to double up on a couple days this week to actually tackle 40 spaces in 40 days!

This week: top of the fridge that I didn't get to last week, my desk drawers at home, bathroom cupboards, at least one of my dressers, inside the fridge, and a couple more yet-to-be-determined spaces.

wandajune6 · February 2015

My decluttering efforts have been redirected: we're packing up MIL's apartment. She's been moved into BIL's house while she continues chemo. It's an odd situation since we know that she'll never be opening these boxes again-- but we refuse to make her get rid of all of her stuff now because we know that it will demoralize her to the point of making her sicker.

So I've been packing/decluttering my hoarder of a MIL with one of my BILs (DH is so overwhelmed with school and work that I'm working with his brothers). It's a balance: I won't get rid of her beloved Tupperware (which she used to sell) but I gathered up 4 garbage bags (the full size ones) of mismatched disposable food storage containers, including empty mayo jars, etc.

In the end, we got rid of 11 bags of stuff from her kitchen, including expired food. Any food in date was sent with the BIL that she's living with. We have not gotten rid of any pots/pans, dishes, etc. I dread the rest of the house.

Yesterday was long but, after seeing her mess, I needed to get rid of plastic containers at our house. I got rid of a ton of mismatched food storage containers (2 grocery bags) and have alerted my boys that from now on we're only using the stackable containers that I buy on bulk from a restaurant supply store and the Pyrex I love (I don't like microwaving plastic). The cabinet looks empty now!

ashley8918 · February 2015

I am thinking about tackling the under bed area today. I haven't looked under there in, um, years (like 4, to be exact), so I haven't decided whether or not I will provide before and after pics hahaha.

I want to get it all cleaned out and then measure. I'm hoping I can fit something like this under there:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20238223/

wandajune6 · February 2015

ashley8918 said:

I am thinking about tackling the under bed area today. I haven't looked under there in, um, years (like 4, to be exact), so I haven't decided whether or not I will provide before and after pics hahaha.

I want to get it all cleaned out and then measure. I'm hoping I can fit something like this under there:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20238223/

I used to have one of these, if it's the one I'm thinking of (mine was white and it's been a few years). It works nicely-- but not with thick carpeting. The wheels are so small that they kind of got stuck.

ashley8918 · February 2015

wandajune6 said:

ashley8918 said:

I am thinking about tackling the under bed area today. I haven't looked under there in, um, years (like 4, to be exact), so I haven't decided whether or not I will provide before and after pics hahaha.

I want to get it all cleaned out and then measure. I'm hoping I can fit something like this under there:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20238223/

I used to have one of these, if it's the one I'm thinking of (mine was white and it's been a few years). It works nicely-- but not with thick carpeting. The wheels are so small that they kind of got stuck.

Aw, damn. That's what I was worried about. We do have pretty thick carpeting. Maybe I need one that's more drawer-like, so that it doesn't actually have to move from under the bed, just open like a drawer. To the google!

wandajune6 · February 2015

ashley8918 said:

wandajune6 said:

ashley8918 said:

I am thinking about tackling the under bed area today. I haven't looked under there in, um, years (like 4, to be exact), so I haven't decided whether or not I will provide before and after pics hahaha.

I want to get it all cleaned out and then measure. I'm hoping I can fit something like this under there:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20238223/

I used to have one of these, if it's the one I'm thinking of (mine was white and it's been a few years). It works nicely-- but not with thick carpeting. The wheels are so small that they kind of got stuck.

Aw, damn. That's what I was worried about. We do have pretty thick carpeting. Maybe I need one that's more drawer-like, so that it doesn't actually have to move from under the bed, just open like a drawer. To the google!

That might work. I bought some particularly awful ones off of Amazon not that long ago. Cheaping out was a mistake. Container Store had some nice ones that I was too cheap for.

ashley8918 · February 2015

wandajune6 said:

ashley8918 said:

wandajune6 said:

ashley8918 said:

I am thinking about tackling the under bed area today. I haven't looked under there in, um, years (like 4, to be exact), so I haven't decided whether or not I will provide before and after pics hahaha.

I want to get it all cleaned out and then measure. I'm hoping I can fit something like this under there:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20238223/

I used to have one of these, if it's the one I'm thinking of (mine was white and it's been a few years). It works nicely-- but not with thick carpeting. The wheels are so small that they kind of got stuck.

Aw, damn. That's what I was worried about. We do have pretty thick carpeting. Maybe I need one that's more drawer-like, so that it doesn't actually have to move from under the bed, just open like a drawer. To the google!

That might work. I bought some particularly awful ones off of Amazon not that long ago. Cheaping out was a mistake. Container Store had some nice ones that I was too cheap for.

Haham I was just looking at some super cheap ones on Amazon. I'll check out the container store.

ashley8918 · February 2015

Ooh, I like these! http://www.walmart.com/ip/HouseCandie-Under-The-Bed-Storage-Collapsible-Storage-Case/37022087?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs-2-b2&strategy=PWBAB&visitor_id=HicNcKk_hsRGZkJxcj2Zh8&category=&client_guid=3c308701-7572-4172-8a12-d156255d0079&customer_id_enc=&config_id=2&parent_item_id=37022082&parent_anchor_item_id=37022082&guid=31ce5111-e10c-4cb0-8336-819b99f15222&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.1&findingMethod=p13n

photokitty · February 2015

So I "decluttered" the driveway 3 times. It was probably more than 40 bags of snow. It really cutting into my cleaning time. We got 8 inches in 24 hours.

I also went through my sock drawer and holiday sock storage - I have a thing for socks and tights. It pained me, but I filled a grocery sack of socks to donate. I threw out the ones with holes.

***side story*** I have what I refer to as a "forceful toe." Regular dress socks only last about 15 wears before my forceful toes starts to break through. Back in my poor college days I would just turn the sock inside out and start a new hole.

I also went through a large box of junk on my dresser and put away the 3 laundry baskets of clothing that had been living on my bedroom floor - shout out to @Lolo883 - I hold the same philosophy. If I can put them aways, you can too

theartistformerlyknownas · February 2015

photokitty said:

So I "decluttered" the driveway 3 times. It was probably more than 40 bags of snow. It really cutting into my cleaning time. We got 8 inches in 24 hours.

I also went through my sock drawer and holiday sock storage - I have a thing for socks and tights. It pained me, but I filled a grocery sack of socks to donate. I threw out the ones with holes.
***side story*** I have what I refer to as a "forceful toe." Regular dress socks only last about 15 wears before my forceful toes starts to break through. Back in my poor college days I would just turn the sock inside out and start a new hole.

I also went through a large box of junk on my dresser and put away the 3 laundry baskets of clothing that had been living on my bedroom floor - shout out to @Lolo883 - I hold the same philosophy. If I can put them aways, you can too

Oh man I have that same problem with socks. My big toe does not want to be confined and busts loose. So then I have to wear the socks on the opposite feet because my little toes don't try so badly to bust out of the hole that Biggie made, until it makes a new one. And then I pitch them.

I WILL PUT MY CLOTHES AWAY TONIGHT!! Or I'll throw them away and wear the stash of maternity clothes my friend saved for me.

LadyMillil · February 2015

I cleaned out the pantry cupboard and all the dresser drawers except DH's socks and underwear drawer. It's kind of a nightmare of black socks so I figured I'll just throw out any holey items when they make it into the laundry.

I also did the bathroom cabinets. DH is no longer allowed to buy his own toiletries because I found 4 containers of gel, 5 bottles of aftershave, 3 tubes of deodorant, 4 toothbrushes, 2 tubes of toothpaste, 2 shower gels and a brand new jumbo pack of bar soap. He buys 2 when he gets low, starts using one, stashes the other under the sink, time passes and the new one gets low so he goes out and buys 2 more, stashes one under the sink and repeat.

amelisha · February 2015

LadyMillil said:

I also did the bathroom cabinets. DH is no longer allowed to buy his own toiletries because I found 4 containers of gel, 5 bottles of aftershave, 3 tubes of deodorant, 4 toothbrushes, 2 tubes of toothpaste, 2 shower gels and a brand new jumbo pack of bar soap. He buys 2 when he gets low, starts using one, stashes the other under the sink, time passes and the new one gets low so he goes out and buys 2 more, stashes one under the sink and repeat.

FI does that too! At least he never runs out?

southernbelle0915 · February 2015

We took 8 bags and one box of stuff to Salvation Army on Saturday. We re-did some shelves in the basement to make them more efficient.

Next order of business is to go through a couple boxes from college that are in the basement and then moving on to cleaning out the shelves in the basement.

We'll be going on vacation Wednesday though. For a week. So things will have to be put on hold for a while. Still vowing to keep my average at a "bag" a day.

ashley8918 · February 2015

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 DONE

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.

theartistformerlyknownas · February 2015

DAMMIT @ASHLEY8918 YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK BAD.

lyndausvi · February 2015

still love ya.

ashley8918 · February 2015

lolo883 said:

DAMMIT @ASHLEY8918 YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK BAD.

lyndausvi said:

still love ya.

Hahahahaha, IM SORRY! But, like, bragging is really my only motivation for actually keeping up on it, hahaha. So i'mma keep on keepin' on with my humblebrag

theartistformerlyknownas · February 2015

OK here's my list. I had to add deep cleaning to get to 40 things. H's specific areas are clean already. I'm the slob.

Bathroom: vanity cabinet done!
Bathroom: medicine cabinet
Linen closet: whole thing
Spare room: top of hope chest done!
Spare room: put clothes away
Spare room: dresser
Spare room: desk
Craft room: sewing table
Craft room: closet done!
Craft room: floor
Bedroom: dresser
Bedroom: behind/under bed
Kitchen: junk drawer
Kitchen: vitamin cabinet
Kitchen: top of fridge
Kitchen: table done!
Kitchen: sides of fridge
Kitchen: under sink
Living room: side table/behind couch
Piano room: bookshelves done!
Basement: laundry room
Basement: storage closet
Basement: rear shelves
Garage: furniture stuff
Garage: miscellaneous organization
Car: clean out trash done!
Car: clean out junk
Front yard: take down the damn Christmas lights, you hillbilly.

General deep cleaning that isn't really a "bag" but needs to be done really well:

Car: clean and vacuum
Bathroom: mini blinds
Bathroom: floor and baseboards
Bathroom: shower grout
Kitchen: burner pans done!
Kitchen: cabinet grime
Kitchen: behind/under fridge and dishwasher
All door wall glass
All vertical blinds
All carpet crevices
All windows
Office: deodorize carpet done!

LadyMillil · February 2015

I just had to search my lab desk for a permit. I don't have a lot to do today so I cleaned it out and organized everything. Turns out the permit was in my boss' files not mine.

rcher912 · February 2015

Thank you for the recap!!! And the new push!

Yesterday, due to car trouble, FI and I spent a good part of the afternoon cleaning out his car (mine, too, actually, although that was just a few things) -- in an effort to find jumper cables.

Which were not there (had to call my brother to bring over his jumper cables)

So this weekend was good news/bad news on the clutter front:

Good news: cars are cleaned out!

Bad news: all that crap (or most of it, I did try) is sitting in my living room and dining room.

Not feeling well tonight, so I'm going to take it easy and just move a few things and maybe finish up the polishing!!! (There are some nicks and grooves that I want to try with a toothbrush and an old tshirt!)

charcoalandblush · February 2015

Guys I did stuff tonight!

I took before & after photos but can't figure out how to post them (I've only ever posted photos from mobile). I cleaned off my night stand (which drives DF crazy because it's always so messy) and my big bathroom drawer. I always like to keep product packages for a while in case I want to return them, but they usually end up living there forever. Also I have a million cosmetic bags (I'm an Ipster), finally put one to good use holding my hot roller clips (that have lived in a ziploc bag for a year).

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 Done!

Bathroom: Top drawer

Bathroom: Counter

Bathroom: Shower and shelves

Bedroom: Night stand Done!

Bedroom: Jewelry box

Bedroom: Shoe rack

Bedroom: Shoe baskets

Bedroom: Under bed

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

charcoalandblush · February 2015

Here we go (I think that worked?)

ashley8918 · February 2015

charcoalandblush said:

Here we go (I think that worked?)

Lookin' good!

amelisha · February 2015

I cleaned behind the oven and my spice cabinet, before and after photos below of the floor under the oven, which I can't believe I'm posting because it was disgusting.

lc07 · February 2015

I am just drinking beer and failing. Fuuuck.

photokitty · February 2015

Nice work ladies!!!

I didn't declutter, but I scrubbed the kitchen floor and did the dishes.

Keep up the great work...except you @lc07‌

Wegl13 · February 2015

I know it's Wednesday but I'm taking advantage of the snow day by getting caught up! I've already done our dog closet. You know how normal people have a coat closet, or a linen closet, in their hallways? We use ours for dog paraphernalia. I chucked a bunch of empty medication bottles and a prescription shampoo that was for my beloved JRT..... Who passed away in 2011. I also threw away some toys my dog is not allowed to have (she has food aggression with large rawhides)- that I kept for some imaginary dog I guess? And I made a divider box for each dogs daily dental chews- we are all about preventing periodontal disease!
The rest of the day is going to be devoted to some things that my husband is, I'm sure, excited about me tackling: the aforementioned boxes of random stuff in the office, a folder of school notes (which are currently taking up his entire filing cabinet), the kitchen table (which is the landing spot for basically everything I own), and my car (we call the floorboards "the filing cabinet" because that's where everything, even important documents, end up).

40/40 Monday Morning check-in

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