Monday, May 27 and final task list!

Happy Memorial Day, everyone, when at 3 p.m. your time we are all asked to spend 60 seconds, 1 minute in silence, remembering all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and all the freedoms we enjoy.

I know it's been a while but I wanted to send 1 more email before I end this season of spring cleaning with you all.  I wish I could have stuck more to the daily emails but I know you all understand with so much I had going with Eliza.  We are now getting what we need for her so just having final meetings and calls to get all that in place.  I'm grateful!

Here's our final master list May 28 - June 8, for the next couple weeks, I've added some final suggested daily tasks should you want to continue more on your own.  My big final push/focus is going to be #73, the last one, as that is piling up as the kids get older with more work and things they bring (dump) home the end of the year.  It never fails, each year they think they want to keep everything (all those crumpled math papers and notebooks they'll never look at again).  Our schools do a nice job of providing a final scrapbook "portfolio day" so I'm going to get rid of all of last year's "notebooks" since they are now well out of mind!  I think I have a total of 10 old school papers from growing up so I don't feel guilty in the least! 

If you don't have kids' things to go through, you can work on your own "keepsake" piles or photos and try to spend some time getting rid/ordering those things more.

Or you can call it a wrap and maybe do this again in the Fall or next Spring.

Thanks for sticking with me through this!  It's been fun and I hope you have been able to at least do some de-cluttering or train your eye more to keep de-cluttering as it will be a constant battle so don't feel like it's a losing battle!  That's why you just do one thing you can (a day) and you will stay much more de-cluttered then you did.  Plus I really think a regular discipline of some sort will also be a key way to stop bringing more stuff "in." 

Have a GREAT summer, everyone!

fondly,

Aimee

2012 Spring Cleaning ---task a day--Master List

1. Throw away at least 10 spices--January 1
2. Get rid of at least 10 utensils (and clean out utensil drawers/canisters)--January 2
3. Clean out your junk drawer--January 3
4. Clean out tupperware & pots/pans cabinets--January 4
5. Clean out your personal drawers--socks/jammies/undergarments--January 5
6. Clean out all your baking goods/cabinets--January 6
7. CDs/DVDs/Wii/xbox video games--January 9
8. Serving Dishes/Vases/dishes rarely/never use--January 10
9. Give away at least 1 coat/family member--January 11
10. Clean out your jewelry box--January 12
11. Clean out the tops of your refrigerator and microwave--January 13
12. Clean out all your board games--January 16
13. Get rid of at least 2 pairs of shoes per family member--January 17
14. Clean out your Laundry area--January 18
15. Clean out your Linen closets/blankets/sheets--January 19
16. Get rid of old Make-up & only keep 30 items total--January 20
17. Clean out your bedside night stand--January 23
18. Clean out office supplies--January 24
19. Clean out gift wrapping stuff--January 25
20. Clean out 1 desk drawer--January 26
21. Clean out another drawer! (flashlights, menus, batteries, keys)--January 27
22. Clean out one paperwork "pile"--January 30
23. Clean out your bathroom vanity(ies)--January 31
24. Clean under the sinks!--February 1
25. Clean out your keys--February 2
26. Paper Files--taxes etc--February 3
27. Clean out pet stuff--February 6 (aimee sick/day off February 7)
28. all your Medicines--February 8
29. First Aid items--February 9
30. Cookbooks--February 10
31. Coat Closet--February 13
32. Dresser/clothes--February 14
33. Dresser/clothes--February 15
34. Food cabinets (1-2)--February 16
35. Food cabinets (1-2)--February 17
36. Books (get rid of at least 50)--February 20
37. Dresser/clothes-YOURS if haven't done yet--February 21
38. Bedroom clothes closet!--February 22
39. File cabinets--get rid of as many papers as you can at more a glance--February 23
40. 20 more books--February 24
41. Purse--February 27
42. Refrigerator--February 28
43. Oven--February 29
44. Everyday dishes and small appliances--the misfits & never use blender, chopper, juicer, waffle iron, snow cone maker, etc.!--March 1
45. Contact List (create or update)--March 2
46. House Decorations (& magazines)--March 5
47. More files/paperwork piles--March 6
48. Small Kitchen appliances--March 7:  one or all, as can do simultaneously!  Dishwasher: run dishwasher empty w/1 cup baking soda.  Coffeemaker: run with 1 part vinegar, 2 parts water, then run w/ just water rinse to vinegar out thoroughly. Microwave: Put bowl water w/ wooden spoon in it(so doesn't superheat/risk burning you) and microwave 3-5 minutes. Can add 1 tsp baking soda and/or slice lemon to water if you want to also deodorize microwave.  Wait 2 minutes when time is up and then remove bowl carefully & wipe microwave clean!
49. Toaster wipe down and crumb cleaning--March 8 (a break for today!)
50. Put away heavy winter gear!--March 9 (even if still keep few things out)
51. Craft supplies--March 12
52. WINDOWS!--March 13
53. More files--dig deep in those folders this time!--March 14
54. Freezer--like we did frig--March 15
55. Cleaning supplies/closet--March 16
56. Clean inside of your car--windows, vacuum (& get carwash!)--March 20
57. Clean out your glove box!--March 21
58. Clean out rest of winter accessories!--March 22
59. Declutter your mind, 5 minute-meditation--March 26
60. Den or Kids room-March 27 & 28
61. Holiday Decorations--April 5
62. Organize all your/family medical records in on document/place--April 13
63. Clean out your wallet--April 25
64. Copy all info that you keep in your wallet (in case ever lose)--April 26
65. Clean outdoor patio furniture, driveway, etc--May 7
66. Create a monthly budget tracking chart to see better where money goes--May 11
67. Clean out your beach bag/gear--May 28
68. Clean out your summer toys/sporting goods--May 29
69. Organize gardening tools/outdoor equipment--May 30
70. Clean out gardening shed or outdoor storage benches--May 31
71. E-mail cleaning out--spend an hour organizing/deleting, replying, etc--June 1
72. Computer files and online documents--spend 1-2 hours deleting, organizing--June 4-5
73. Kids previous year's school work or other "keepsakes" in attic basement--spend 1 hour a day--June 5-8

March 27-28: Clean up kids rooms/or den & then purge much as can

This one takes me 2 days so if it only takes you 1, enjoy your day off! :)

For Tuesday, March 27 through Wednesday, March 28:

***Clean out either a kid's bedroom or if no kids, another room, like a den***

Day 1 Tuesday, March 27--clean it all up and put everything where it goes

Day 2 Wednesday, March 28--go through the room and now purge everything you can!

for me i use 3 bags (with the kids help as we go through it all, in each of their rooms)--1 bag for garbage, 1-donation and 1-sell (if they'd like to try to sell something more of worth)

March 26 - Your mind & heart

Hi everyone,

Sorry to miss Friday--I'm going to keep being sporadic for a while because of Eliza's extra appts/testing lately and the energy that requires, plus things like her getting up at 3 a.m. "for the day" on Sunday. ugh!  thanks for understanding!

So, to start out the week, I thought this one would be good for me and I hope you, too!  Even if you haven't done one task--please try to do this one as I think it's most important of all, to de-clutter us.

Take just 5 minutes (more if you want and you may end up!), sitting somewhere comfortable, by yourself, and for at least 5 minutes, just breathe in and out.  Slowly, try to keep letting go of all your thoughts and just breath.  in through your nose, out through your mouth.  it can help to repeat simple words, like in/peace, out/love.  etc.

please do this one with me :)

see you tomorrow (or soon!),

aimee

March 22 - rest of winter accessories/gear

The 80-90 degree day here helps get this one on the cue:

Thursday, March 22:

***put away the rest of your winter accessories/gear***

Yes, I know--as soon as we do, we'll get snowflakes next week!  That's why I leave some bare minimum left in the baskets--a pair of cheap $1 gloves for each of us & maybe 1 hat if you/kids wear one!  Otherwise, go through the rest and I came up with a whole pile to donate much and put the rest away for next year.

Make room for those flip flops & goggles!

Enjoy the sun/rain/whatever you have today,

Aimee

March 16 - Clearning supplies/closet!

what?

this is one of those oxymoron ones, but still good to do occasionally and good time of year as we do more spring cleaning around our homes.

For today, Friday, March 16:

***Clean out your cleaning supplies/closet!***

(or under your sink, where ever you keep them!  get rid of the stuff you don't use or that has 1/17 of it left and you just need to toss)

This one will help you see if there might be a couple things you could use that you are running low or out of.

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone! 

Remember, one day, one task, whatever you choose, at a time,

Aimee

(ps--i've been having the kids do a chore a day this week--clean 5 windows; dust 2 rooms; sweep vac 1st floor--they are seeing how just 1 chore doesn't take that long and shhhh...are learning how to do it better! i'm assessing my supplies today to keep this one going!)

March 21 - Glove Compartment in car

as one of you pointed out yesterday and I must agree, let's not overlook a part of yesterday's...

for today, Wednesday, March 21 (happy Birthday out there!! ;)

***Clean out your car's glove compartment***

(can't you look-up the manual online since you have never touched it in 6 years anyway!  For me, this gives me a chance to look at the console area between the 2 front seats once more too, as I know I can get to more there)

thanks for the great reminder on the glove compartment!  oh good, this small task means we have time to finish yesterday's and get that car wash & vacuum yet today in this gorgeous summer-like weather (maybe even time to sit in the sun!)

Aimee

March 20 - Inside of car!

Good morning everyone,

I'm sure you wondered, but didn't miss "me" yesterday!  Sorry, Mondays are not the best days for me after John is gone 12 hours working Fridays and on Sundays, I work a couple hours Mondays, plus I'm currently in the midst of getting neuropsychological testing/results on Eliza--both test my emotions & take a lot of time.

But, hey, at least for today, since that's all we consider for these tasks,

Tuesday, March 20:

***Clean out your car!***

Professional detailing is overrated, so just give it a good interior window cleaning (if you have kids, they will start seeing the wonders of the world again!), wipe down the dash, and use a hand vac to vacuum and shake the rugs.  If you have beautiful weather like we do, take it through the car wash today and use a super power vac at the car wash to do one more good clean-up of all those chunks of hardened food from the winter. 

Even if you just clean your windows and dash---this will be a great improvement!

See you when I come back again  :)

Aimee

March 15 - freezer

This one is the rest of our "frig" one....

Thursday, March 15:

***Clean out your freezer!***
(no complaining, I still have a 2nd frig/freezer in the mudroom to tackle ;)  Use baking soda & warm water to wipe it down.


I know it's hard to throw-out food, but see it as a chance to clear-out and start fresh so next time you think about stocking up on frozen bags of veggies, you'll walk right past that special!  and even frozen food isn't "good" forever! (see some guidelines below). 


See you Friday already!
Aim

guidelines on how long you can safely keep food in the refrigerator
or freezer, by U.S. Department of Agriculture. Here's a chart with
the times for various foods.

STORAGE PERIOD 
PRODUCT  In Refrigerator
40 degrees Fahrenheit
(5 degrees Celsius)  In Freezer
0 degrees F
(-18 degrees C) 
Fresh Meat: 


Beef: Ground 1-2 days 3-4 months
Steaks and roasts 3-5 days 6-12 months
Pork: Chops 3-5 days 4-6 months
Ground 1-2 days 3-4 months
Roasts 3-5 days 4-6 months
Cured Meats: 


Lunch Meat 3-5 days 1-2 months
Sausage 1-2 days 1-2 months
Hot dogs Unopened, 2 weeks
Opened, 1 week

Prepared salads (egg, tuna, etc) 3-5 days Don't freeze
Gravy  1-2 days 2-3 months
Soups or stews  3-4 days 2-3 months
Fish: 


Lean (such as cod,
flounder, haddock) 1-2 days up to 6 months
Fatty (such as blue, perch,
salmon) 1-2 days 2-3 months
Chicken: Whole 1-2 days 12 months
Parts 1-2 days 9 months
Giblets 1-2 days 3-4 months
Dairy products: 


Swiss, brick, processed
cheese 3-4 weeks *
Soft cheese 1 week 6 months
Milk 5 days 1 month
Ice cream, ice milk - 2-4 months
Butter 1-3 months 6-9 months
Buttermilk 7-14 days 3 months
Cream cheese 2 weeks -
Cream 3-5 days 4 months
Sour cream 7-21 days -
Yogurt 7-10 days -
Eggs: Fresh in the shell 3 weeks -
Hard-boiled 1 week -
Pasteurized liquid 3 days (opened)
10 days (unopened) 1 year
Mayonnaise 2 months don't freeze
TV dinners - 3-4 months
Store-bought convenience meals 1-2 days -
Cooked meat leftovers 3-4 days 2-3 months
Pizza 3-4 days 1-2 months
Stuffing, cooked 3-4 days 1 month
Dough - tube can, cookies use-by date 2 months (don't freeze tube cans)
* Cheese can be frozen, but freezing will affect
the texture and taste.
SOURCES: Food Marketing Institute for fish and
dairy products, USDA for all other foods

March 14 - more files!

This one we go back to often as I would guess for most of us it's a large chore.  Devote what you can to this one today--even 20 minutes will tackle some of this plus show you how you CAN progress & get through this one with even small chunks of time.  I really need to do this one, continued to be motivated by Eliza and her various dr. appts.  I really need this stuff more organized and de-cluttered.  For better or worse, you can thank Eliza ;)

For, Wednesday, March 14:

***De-clutter MORE of your files!***

This will hopefully be a day you can start to leaf through some of the files to shred old documents & sort them better.  If you need guidance with what to keep/toss, here's info from Suze Orman's site:

Record Keeping/Files:

Financial Clutter, What To Keep And What To Get Rid Of

 

Keep till warranty expires or can no longer return or exchange

• Sales Receipts (Unless needed for tax purposes and then keep for 3 years)

What to keep for 1 month

• ATM Printouts (When you balance your checkbook each month throw out the ATM receipts)

What to keep for 1 year

• Paycheck Stubs (You can get rid of once you have compared to your W2 & annual social security statement)
• Utility Bills (You can throw out after one year, unless you're using these as a deduction like a home office --then you need to keep them for 3 years after you've filed that tax return)
• Cancelled Checks (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)
• Credit Card Receipts (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)
• Bank Statements (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)
• Quarterly Investment Statements (Hold on to until you get your annual statement)

What to keep for 3 years

• Income Tax Returns (Please keep in mind that you can be audited by the IRS for no reason up to three years after you filed a tax return. If you omit 25% of your gross income that goes up to 6 years and if you don't file a tax return at all, there is no statute of limitations.)
• Medical Bills and Cancelled Insurance Policies
• Records of Selling a House (Documentation for Capital Gains Tax)
• Records of Selling a Stock (Documentation for Capital Gains Tax)
• Receipts, Cancelled Checks and other Documents that Support Income or a Deduction on your Tax Return (Keep 3 years from the date the return was filed or 2 years from the date the tax was paid -- which ever is later)
• Annual Investment Statement (Hold onto 3 years after you sell your investment.)

What to keep for 7 years

• Records of Satisfied Loans

What to hold while active

• Contracts
• Insurance Documents
• Stock Certificates
• Property Records
• Stock Records
• Records of Pensions and Retirement Plans
• Property Tax Records Disputed Bills (Keep the bill until the dispute is resolved)
• Home Improvement Records (Hold for at least 3 years after the due date for the tax return that includes the income or loss on the asset when it's sold)

 

Keep Forever

• Marriage Licenses
• Birth Certificates
• Wills
• Adoption Papers
• Death Certificates
• Records of Paid Mortgages

March 13 - windows--I can see clearly now!

I can see clearly now, my windows are clean!

I splurged once and used a coupon to get all our front porch windows professionally cleaned from the inside & out.  It was well-worth it! 
Since that's usually a once-in-a-while occurrence for most of us (if at all!),

for today, Tuesday, March 13...

***Clean your windows!***

Try to at least do your most common rooms and open them up to wipe the sills too as many of us will be using our screens this week to let the fresh spring air in! 

My focus:  kitchen, DR, LR, downstairs bathroom & 2 bedrooms.  Also get your front & back doors!

Yes, the fingerprints and dog nose prints will come back, so that's why this is just a couple times a year, but spring is my favorite to do this one when the sun gleams in and the warmth is back.

See you Wednesday!

Aimee

Newspaper is a great "cloth" to use as there are no streaks OR lint left behind.  (may want to wear gloves for the print, which doesn't get on the windows tho!)  After my mom died, our neighbor came over and taught us how to clean.  I'll never forget her washing our bathroom mirror with the Daily Courier!

March 12 - Crafty one!

Or should I say, back to crafts!

Yep, hi everyone, for today, Monday, March 12:

***Clean-out your craft supplies***

This one will no doubt vary in task size from person-to-person, but if you have a whole closet filled with crafts, you can choose to just focus on 1 section/bin, area of it if you want.  Perhaps most of you are like me, "craft supplies" are scattered throughout the house.  For me, we can't leave things out for Eliza to get into so my "after" is 1 small bin of supplies we chose to keep.  Jazzie is the one who accesses it the most, and this bin at the bottom of our basement stairs is easy enough for her to go to when needed.  And, notice the extra room....in case other random supplies make it through our door (or when they do) or when I come across another hidden corner of some supplies I forgot about!

Whittle it down, whatever kind of crafty person you are (or if you have none--clean out a hobby like knitting supplies, tools, etc)

See you tomorrow!

Aimee

Before, a small sampling....

After, 1 small-ish bin (if it won't fit, it won't stay! ;)

List Daily Tasks - quick reference

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. House decorations & magazines
   
2. Contact List
   
3. Everyday dishes & small appliances
   
4. Oven
   
5. Refrigerator
   
6. purse/handbag/wallet
   
7. 20 more books give-away
8. File Cabinet--30 minute paper toss!
   
9. Clothes Closet-YOURS!
10. Dresser/clothes-own, if haven't done yet
11. Books
    
12. Food cabinets (canned goods, grains)
13. Dresser/clothes
    
14. Coat Closet
    
15. Cookbooks
    
16. First Aid supplies
    
17. Rx/meds
    
18. Pet supplies
    
19. files
20. under the sink(s)
21. bathroom vanity(ies)
    
22. 1 paperwork pile
23. that "other" junk drawer (flashlights, keys, menus, batteries)
24. a desk drawer
    
25. gift wrap
26. office supplies
27. night stand
28. make-up
29. linens
30. laundry products
31. shoes
32. board games
33. tops of frig and mircrowave
34. jewelry
35. coats
36. vases/serving dishes
37. media (CDs/DVDs/video games)
38. baking goods
39. socks/pjs/undergarments
40. tupperware/pots/pans
41. junk drawer
42. utensils
43. spices

March 2 - sit down for contact List update/creation!

I'm so wiped out w/ Eliza lately, that we are doing a sitting-down one to end the week!
Just for today....our wonderful Friday, March 2:

***Update your Contact List***

(I'm finally creating mine online!! Family phone #s, work, school, doctors, emergency, etc.)

I attached mine if you want a sample to use.

Have a great weekend, everyone!
See you Monday,
Aimee

and try to enjoy the rest!

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. Contact List
   
2. Everyday dishes & small appliances
   
3. Oven
   
4. Refrigerator
   
5. purse/handbag/wallet
   
6. 20 more books give-away
7. File Cabinet--30 minute paper toss!
   
8. Clothes Closet-YOURS!
9. Dresser/clothes-own, if haven't done yet
10. Books
    
11. Food cabinets (canned goods, grains)
12. Dresser/clothes
    
13. Coat Closet
    
14. Cookbooks
    
15. First Aid supplies
    
16. Rx/meds
    
17. Pet supplies
    
18. files
19. under the sink(s)
20. bathroom vanity(ies)
    
21. 1 paperwork pile
22. that "other" junk drawer (flashlights, keys, menus, batteries)
23. a desk drawer
    
24. gift wrap
25. office supplies
26. night stand
27. make-up
28. linens
29. laundry products
30. shoes
31. board games
32. tops of frig and mircrowave
33. jewelry
34. coats
35. vases/serving dishes
36. media (CDs/DVDs/video games)
37. baking goods
38. socks/pjs/undergarments
39. tupperware/pots/pans
40. junk drawer
41. utensils
42. spices
    

1 Attached file| 23KB

1. Contact List home.docx

Download

March 1 - misfit dishes and small appliances

Good morning everyone!  The next one shouldn't take too long but important to do as can take up space and create piles of "stuff," some you look at every day. The more you "live in clutter," the more unsettled you will feel inside.  The more you de-clutter, the less you will buy, feeling diminished need & desire.

Look at these areas you store these items and ask yourself:

1. Do I use these regularly? (more then once a year or at least no less!!)

2. The things you don't use, do you really like?  

3. Can you borrow one in the future if you really do ever need to use one?

4.  If you still can't part with some of these, put a post-it on these items with today's date so when you consider getting rid of in the future, you can remember the last time you thought you'd start using it and realize the months, years that have gone by you haven't. (and maybe finally be able to get rid of it...OR may spur you on to start using!)

For today, Thursday, March 1 (happy March! Two months now of doing more then you did or at least thought about last year! :)

***Clean out your every day dishes and small appliances (blender, chopper, waffle iron, shaved ice maker, etc)***

I think of these as the "misfits" as these are often those random things we have that bother us like those kids bowls I don't use anymore or mismatched items in our everyday dishes that we don't like.  Or more cups from 7-11 we don't need (you can always look at past categories we did to keep those cleaned-out like cups or mugs!).  I'm sure that roaster that is so dusty we used maybe 3 times since we got for our wedding, John will ask me the day after I donate it where it is, as he wants to roast a chicken.  But I'd rather risk Murphy's Law and de-clutter!  This goes back to reminding yourself why you are dong this so you can keep on track for good reasons.

See you tomorrow, another TGIF!

Aimee

Goodbye fish bowl,

Goodbye roaster,

Goodbye bug lamp

and one-time blizzard maker.

Goodbye dollar cup,

Goodbye extra mattress pump,

Have fun at your new homes,

Or, sorry, the local dump. 

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. Everyday dishes & small appliances
   
2. Oven
   
3. Refrigerator
   
4. purse/handbag/wallet
   
5. 20 more books give-away
6. File Cabinet--30 minute paper toss!
   
7. Clothes Closet-YOURS!
8. Dresser/clothes-own, if haven't done yet
9. Books
   
10. Food cabinets (canned goods, grains)
11. Dresser/clothes
    
12. Coat Closet
    
13. Cookbooks
    
14. First Aid supplies
    
15. Rx/meds
    
16. Pet supplies
    
17. files
18. under the sink(s)
19. bathroom vanity(ies)
    
20. 1 paperwork pile
21. that "other" junk drawer (flashlights, keys, menus, batteries)
22. a desk drawer
    
23. gift wrap
24. office supplies
25. night stand
26. make-up
27. linens
28. laundry products
29. shoes
30. board games
31. tops of frig and mircrowave
32. jewelry
33. coats
34. vases/serving dishes
35. media (CDs/DVDs/video games)
36. baking goods
37. socks/pjs/undergarments
38. tupperware/pots/pans
39. junk drawer
40. utensils
41. spices