January 31 - bathroom vanity!

You made it a month!  Just a few more to make it a regular habit (once we hit 30 that's what the experts say, so even if you haven't done every one, just stay on board to keep doing some and I think even opening the emails for consideration becomes a good habit!)  Have a good day everyone!

For today, Tuesday, January 31:

***Clean out your bathroom vanity***

For this one, you can choose to do 1 bathroom vanity in 1 bathroom, or more. Vanity loosely described as: under sink cabinet, over sink mirror vanity, above toilet cabinet, etc.  At least try to do 1 main bathroom & at least 1 "vanity" you most often use.

Good riddance old toothpaste, lotions, candles, nail polish, 1/16th of anything you have left!  

I'm just going to show you a couple of my "Afters" from which I filled 1 very full plastic grocery bag of garbage! (also included our mirror vanity and some stuff on top of our towel cabinet):

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. bathroom vanity(ies)
   
2. 1 paperwork pile
3. that "other" junk drawer (flashlights, keys, menus, batteries)
4. a desk drawer
   
5. gift wrap
6. office supplies
7. night stand
8. make-up
9. linens
10. laundry products
11. shoes
12. board games
13. tops of frig and mircrowave
14. jewelry
15. coats
16. vases/serving dishes
17. media (CDs/DVDs/video games)
18. baking goods
19. socks/pjs/undergarments
20. tupperware/pots/pans
21. junk drawer
22. utensils
23. spices

January 30 -- 1 pile of paperwork

Good morning everyone!  Don't be so glum to see the email from me ;)

It's a new week, a new day, and we'll continue to just do 1 thing a day, should you choose.  Do what you can/want!

For today, Monday, January 30:

***Clean out 1 paperwork pile***
This one for me is in a container by my laptop that I use daily...basic supplies, paper, most prominent to-do's of mail, bills, paperwork, etc.
Yours might be a letter tray or just a stack of papers on a desk or counter.  Try to deal with just 1 pile & put things where they go or toss. 
It may not look like it, but my "after" is really emptied-out & spacious now. Just 1 pile.

my "Before":

and "After":

January 27 - another junk drawer (keys/menus/flashlights)

okay, everyone, one more to end ANOTHER week! 

For today, Friday, January 27:

***Clean out another junk drawer***
(this can be another one of your choice, beyond our "original" junk drawer. I tackled my menus-keys-flashlights drawer and threw-out 10 year old keys that are mysterious & never used, so gone!  maybe you have a battery/tool drawer--whatever, just pick 1 drawer to clean-up)

my "Before" levels of junk:

"After" (decided put flashlights on counter into drawer I now had space for. yes, that's a real phone that works):

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. that "other" junk drawer (flashlights, keys, menus, batteries)
2. a desk drawer
   
3. gift wrap
4. office supplies
5. night stand
6. make-up
7. linens
8. laundry products
9. shoes
10. board games
11. tops of frig and mircrowave
12. jewelry
13. coats
14. vases/serving dishes
15. media (CDs/DVDs/video games)
16. baking goods
17. socks/pjs/undergarments
18. tupperware/pots/pans
19. junk drawer
20. utensils
21. spices

As far as tasks, time to give 'em a rest & relax for the weekend:

January 26 - a desk drawer

Hi everyone,

All right, you guys are working so hard, let's go with an easier one, but something to continue the momentum.

So, for today, Thursday, January 26:

***Clean out a desk drawer***

my "Before" (more sharpies again!):

"After":

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. a desk drawer
   
2. gift wrap
3. office supplies
4. night stand
5. make-up
6. linens
7. laundry products
8. shoes
9. board games
10. tops of frig and mircrowave
11. jewelry
12. coats
13. vases/serving dishes
14. media (CDs/DVDs/video games)
15. baking goods
16. socks/pjs/undergarments
17. tupperware/pots/pans
18. junk drawer
19. utensils
20. spices

Remember another big picture goal why we are doing this.....more time to relax & play in nature's clutter:

January 25 - Gift Wrapping

Good morning, everyone!

For me this is part deux from yesterday's office supplies, as I'll explain:

for Wednesday, January 25:

 

***Clean out your gift wrapping things***

I ended up combining my gift wrapping and office supplies bins (2) into 1 plastic under-the-bed bin.  I access those things pretty regularly, so under my bed is convenient.  However, it could all fit into 1 bin and is similar type things (scissors, tape, envelopes, etc).  Below is my gift wrapping bin "before" and then my after is my combined office & gift wrap supplies.  It was nice to get rid of 1/2 the stuff...or put some of the things away in the right places (in files).  Have a great day and see you tomorrow, Aim


"Before"gift wrapping stuff:

"After" (gift wrap & office supplies). the stuff on the left is all getting donated or recycled.  "Bye-bye" chewbacca bag w/ my other stash of too many gift bags::

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. gift wrap
2. office supplies
3. night stand
4. make-up
5. linens
6. laundry products
7. shoes
8. board games
9. tops of frig and mircrowave
10. jewelry
11. coats
12. vases/serving dishes
13. media (CDs/DVDs/video games)
14. baking goods
15. socks/pjs/undergarments
16. tupperware/pots/pans
17. junk drawer
18. utensils
19. spices

Remember another big picture goal why we are doing this.....

January 24 - Office supplies

Good morning everyone!

Our task today you may have already tackled if it was part of your junk drawer.  For me, I have a separate area under my dresser stuffed with things in a plastic bin.  You can tackle one area as close to today's as possible if you'd like! (another junk drawer, a box of stuff somewhere...things scattered around the house you want to gather to keep in one place, etc).So, Just for today, Tuesday, January 24:

***Clean out your office supplies***

Notice our new re-ordered quick reference list, too.  I thought this might be less overwhelming to see at the top of the list what we are currently doing so if you are picking/choosing as we go, you don't feel the weight of seeing the other tasks we've done.  I want you to feel good about anything as small as it may seem, it's whatever you CAN do.  This is a no-guilt deal!

see you tomorrow!
Aimee

"Before"-i don't even know what's underneath the stuff on top!

AFTER:

coming tomorrow and I'll explain why then!





Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. office supplies
2. night stand
3. make-up
4. linens
5. laundry products
6. shoes
7. board games
8. tops of frig and mircrowave
9. jewelry
10. coats
11. vases/serving dishes
12. media (CDs/DVDs/video games)
13. baking goods
14. socks/pjs/undergarments
15. tupperware/pots/pans
16. junk drawer
17. utensils
18. spices

Remember another big picture goal why we are doing this.....to find things more easily....

"Where is that bunny?!!"

January 23 - night stand

Good morning everyone!  Hope you had a nice weekend!

To start off a new week, we'll go semi-easy.  This one is like another "junk drawer" but there'll be many tasks that will help us conquer all those "catch-all places" we have.
For this one today, Monday, January 23:

***Clean out your bedside table/nightstand***

As you can see with mine, I decided to move some furniture around too.  I didn't buy anything new but the "after" end table is much nicer and limiting...no more being able to hide and stuff things away that I never use and forget about.  I threw most of my "bedside junk" out or just put things away where they go.  I think that creates many of our piles...not putting things back in their places.  As you do, you will inevitably see more that needs to be cleaned out.  That's okay--just put things where they go for now, only focus on your nightstand for today, and I promise--we'll get to those other things another day!    See you tomorrow!  -Aimee


"Before"--things I never used!

AFTER:

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. spices
2. utensils
3. junk drawer
4. tupperware/pots/pans
5. socks/pj's/undergarments
6. baking mixes/goods
7. media stuff (CDs/DVDs/video games)
8. vases/serving dishes
9. coats
10. jewelry
11. tops of refrigerator and microwave
12. board games
13. shoes
14. laundry area/products
15. linen closets/sheets/blankets/towels
16. make-up
17. night stand

Remember the big picture why we are doing this.....to gaze at sunsets longer....

January 19 - Clean-out your linen closet/sheets/blankets/towels

Good afternoon everyone!

sorry I'm running a little later then usual today!

For Thursday, January 19th:

***Clean-out your linen closet/sheets/blankets/towels***
(I don't have a linen closet so for me it's--3 stand-alone cabinets, an ottoman storage, and a hope chest.  I easily filled 1 garbage bag to start my donation pile for next week and loved getting rid of all those random things & the old, never-use towels, mattress pads, etc and have 1 empty cabinet now to use for something else)

Tips:

• Keep 2 bath towels/sets per person in your household (time to get rid of those ratty ones!).  Organizers recommend folding towels in thirds.
• Put beach/swim towels in a large beach bin/bag in easy to find storage area (with other swim gear).
• Keep a couple extra sets of sheets that you fold inside one of the pillowcases in the set to keep a set all together.
• Try to donate at least 2 blankets to charity as people & animals (shelters) need good warm winter blankets.

See you Friday to complete our 3rd week already!
--Aimee

2 of my 5 linen clean-out areas before/after:

my 2 full sheet sets are on the top left shelf, each in a pillowcase:

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. spices
2. utensils
3. junk drawer
4. tupperware/pots/pans
5. socks/pj's/undergarments
6. baking mixes/goods
7. media stuff (CDs/DVDs/video games)
8. vases/serving dishes
9. coats
10. jewelry
11. tops of refrigerator and microwave
12. board games
13. shoes
14. laundry area/products
15. linen closets/sheets/blankets/towels

January 20 - Make-up!

i didn't forget....just a crazy week!  

but that's why we're doing this...none of our lives seem to get less full, so there'll never be time to clean things out!  So, if we do just a little a day, somehow we can squeeze it in and squeeze more stuff out of our lives (to make room for more space & peace!)

since there's only 3 hours left in the day (EST!) here's an easy one and maybe for some of you, really easy if you don't own anything of the like!

for today (or the weekend!) Friday, January 20th, 2012:

***Clean out your make-up***

(including in your house--where ever you keep it; and in your purse.  try to keep ONLY 30 total items--make-up and tools!

Spring is around the corner, so get rid of the "oldies," & try a (1) fresh new color of something in the spring. 
(for any of the guys out there--for this one, you can get rid of that 20-year old cologne!)

I cannot for the life of me get my "after" photo to upload...so here's my sorry "before" picture.  i got rid of one of the old eyeshadows, the illuminator & root touch-up i never use, that red Olive-chewed-up tube on far left, and more.  & these baskets are going thru the dishwasher this weekend!

have a fun weekend--see you Monday!!!

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. spices
2. utensils
3. junk drawer
4. tupperware/pots/pans
5. socks/pj's/undergarments
6. baking mixes/goods
7. media stuff (CDs/DVDs/video games)
8. vases/serving dishes
9. coats
10. jewelry
11. tops of refrigerator and microwave
12. board games
13. shoes
14. laundry area/products
15. linen closets/sheets/blankets/towels
16. make-up!

January 18 - Laundry area!

Good morning everyone!

Today's task is one of the oxymoron areas in our homes--cleaning a cleaning area.  This one won't take you too long but check-off another small area of our homes that we often otherwise overlook every day we pass it.  See you tomorrow!  --Aimee

For Wednesday, January 18th:

***Clean-up your laundry area***

(get rid of 10-year old bleaches & other products you never use--I was guilty of Dyrel, wipe down counter/drawer areas, and wipe down your washer & dryer while you're at it!)

You can safely flush old products down a septic tank or small amounts down a drain.  Or--run some through your washer by itself on the smallest load!  I also highly recommend Tide washing machine cleaner you run through by itself.  It took away any hint of mildew odors from my washer/clothes.

Before (you can't tell, but my counter really needed a good wash-down)

After (sometimes corralling things into a bin like I did can help you have limited space to avoid over-cluttering again)

 







Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. spices
2. utensils
3. junk drawer
4. tupperware/pots/pans
5. socks/pj's/undergarments
6. baking mixes/goods
7. media stuff (CDs/DVDs/video games)
8. vases/serving dishes
9. coats
10. jewelry
11. tops of refrigerator and microwave
12. board games
13. shoes
14. laundry area/products

January 17 - Shoes!

On Jan 17, 2012, at 7:27 AM, Aimee Mury <a_mury@yahoo.com> wrote:

Good morning, everyone!

I'm calling this one "2 for Tuesday" and trying to make it an easier one as we get back into the routine this week.

For Tuesday, January 17, 2012:

***Purge the shoes!***

(make it 2 pairs for every person in your household--doesn't have to be specifically 2 each person but overall: 5 in my family x 2=10 pairs shoes)

 

like the coats, shed the excess & you will feel much better sharing the abundance with others.

Olive says "hi!"

See you tomorrow,
aim

Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. spices
2. utensils
3. junk drawer
4. tupperware/pots/pans
5. socks/pj's/undergarments
6. baking mixes/goods
7. media stuff (CDs/DVDs/video games)
8. vases/serving dishes
9. coats
10. jewelry
11. tops of refrigerator and microwave
12. board games
13. shoes

Hope you kept a pair of boots so you can enjoy the snow today....

January 16-Board Games!

Hi everyone....a day early!

Hope you are having a nice long holiday weekend & as we remember a wonderful hero in Martin Luther King Jr.  I'm sending this out a day early in case anyone wants to participate in a donation drive on Monday (see below).  Otherwise, I'll be back Tuesday!  --Aimee

As promised last Friday, task for Monday, January 16, is:

***Clean out all your board games***

(which are often in multiple areas around the house--so down to 1 location, too!)

Try to get keep a total of only 20 games in your household (good luck on that! would love to hear how people do!). I had to let go of those games we had seasons we loved and I think we'll play again, but never do!  If you REALLY end up wanting to go back someday and play Battleship, you can borrow it from a friend, buy it used somewhere, rent it from a place like www.toyconomy.com, or play it online!

Games make great donations to VVA (http://www.scheduleapickup.com/Schedule) or local charities in your area.  In the Boston area, if you want to do something special in honor of MLK Jr's birthday, Cradles to Crayons is accepting game donations in Dedham until 1 p.m. Jan. 16th:

http://cradlestocrayons.org/sites/default/files/MLKJrDayFlier_Final.pdf   

Look for 1-800-PACK-RAT units at Noble and Greenough School (10 Campus Drive, Dedham, MA) or First Church and Parish, Dedham (670 High Street, Dedham)

 

“Everybody can
be great, because
everybody can serve.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

BEFORE:

AFTER, with my garbage bag of give-aways filled nearby:

    fun trivia, our family's favorites right now:

•     Eliza: Hullaballo (& good at Perfection!)
•     Jazzie: Pictionary Jr
•     Xander: Stratego
•     John: Settlers of Catan
•     Aimee: Scattegories (must be the lists!)
•     John & Aim like to play: Scrabble
•     as a family we love to play: Bananagrams, Apples to Apples Jr.

   

What are yours?!



Quick reference what we've done so far:

1. spices
2. utensils
3. junk drawer
4. tupperware/pots/pans
5. socks/pj's/undergarments
6. baking mixes/goods
7. media stuff (CDs/DVDs/video games)
8. vases/serving dishes
9. coats
10. jewelry
11. tops of refrigerator and microwave
12. board games