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Cleaning Up:  This is IT!!!  |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 19 2009 : 04:46:09 AM
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My girls have their playroom in the basement. Hubby remodeled it years ago and the girls happily filled it with toys. And I mean FILLED IT. It's out of control!
I had signed up for a toy sale at a local school. Sounded like a great idea. They sell for me, I get 60% of the sale - great idea - right? Except I ran out of time.  Friday afternoon I asked hubby to load my truck up with everything I had decided the girls were too old to play with anymore. My truck was filled to the ROOF! Saturday I drove it over to a local donation/resale place. It benefits needy children/families in our area. They'll be able to sell off the toys and make some $$ for others.
We've been so blessed that my husband has a job and even gets to work overtime in this economy. We decided that everything is going to this resale shop! I announced to my girls and now they're on the bandwagon! We're all going down there today after school!
I was reading Heather's posts on Simple Living - I WANT THAT. We so have too much stuff in our lives. I want to walk into my home and it be a sanctuary as well - just as Heather had posted.
So anyway - that's why I'm posting it here. To hold myself accountable. THIS IS IT! I'm done with clutter. I'm starting in the basement and headed through all the other rooms. I hope to make at least one trip to the donation center a week - at least!
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place |
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Bevb
True Blue Farmgirl
81 Posts
Bev
Moscow
ID
USA
81 Posts |
Posted - Oct 19 2009 : 06:40:00 AM
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| We're trying to do that, too. I have WAY too much stuff. (I seriously think the stuff clones in the closets) We've had one yard sale, and numerous trips to the local homeless shelter thrift shop. I still have too much stuff! |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Oct 19 2009 : 06:49:54 AM
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Good for you Deb!! Congrats!! That sounds like you are on your way. Bev,,,as long as you are making head way...and are happy...just keeping swimming!!! : )
Heather
"Hitch your wagon to a star"
http://somewheredownintexas-heather.blogspot.com |
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happydaze
True Blue Farmgirl
136 Posts
lorraine
atlanta
ni
USA
136 Posts |
Posted - Oct 19 2009 : 11:28:31 AM
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| Count me in! With Grandson gone, I cleared out his man-cave and had at least 8 bags of stuff to go. Got some momentum now and cant seem to stop cleaning.This is really cool. I have a Hallway now too. and a sewing room , and a guest bathroom, I sure hope I can continue tossing stuff out long enough to see if my closet has a floor! Only thing is, my ambition and energy levels do not coincide!! Keep up the good work ladies, one mess at a time and we'll all be clutter free-some day |
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MommaJ9
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Kimberly
Longview
Washington
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - Oct 19 2009 : 4:37:00 PM
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I'm trying to simplify things around here too...as the kids start leaving the nest, the junk needs to decrease. I don't even remember where some of it came from!!!! I've got a load ready for the Goodwill and a whole empty bedroom that is filling fast with garage sale stuff. Think I may have enough from the sale to take a vacation!!! Of course, most of the profit will probably come from my own children who will try to buy back their stuff that they "can't live without!"
Farmgirl #783
http://jabezfarm.blogspot.com |
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herblady55
True Blue Farmgirl
3470 Posts
Judy
Louisville
Ohio(Stark Co)
USA
3470 Posts |
Posted - Oct 19 2009 : 7:49:04 PM
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Good for you girls! I've never been a clutter-er(is a word, yes?)haha (Please don't hate me) And I go through my things on a regular basis and give to a collection box that goes mostly to Africa. I feel good about that.I try to help my mom to understand "clutter-free" but I guess it's hard when you grew up during the depression and had 11 siblings. So I try not to be too hard on her. Anyhow,keep up the good work girls! I'm rooting for you!
Judy
Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman- |
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KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - Oct 20 2009 : 5:36:38 PM
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I'm working on it too.
I emptied out the junk room into the living room and painted, new flooring and moved my (new to me) loom in and I don't want to bring the rest of the stuff back, I guess it will go to Good will or Hope Gospel Mission.
YEA!!!
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2009 : 04:10:50 AM
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I'm headed back down there today. I lost a few days with errands and a weekend away with the hubby. 
I'm the packrat around here. I don't want to teach my girls this lifestyle - praying it's not too late. My hubby is the type to toss it away. He doesn't clutter up anything. I don't know how he does it. I know - he doesn't attach any sentimental value to STUFF! I need to get into that mindset. I also need to stop putting off DOING! Another problem of mine.
Back to the salt mines....
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place |
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Laura Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
419 Posts
Laura
Rancho Cordova
California
USA
419 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2009 : 09:14:30 AM
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I'm on the same road ladies. I just moved and when I realized how much stuff I am moving I knew things had to go. I got one car load of stuff to the goodwill and I have a couple of other boxes that need to go. I may or may not get to those today. I just know that I will be moving again and I don't want to have to go through this all over again. I now have to stop bringing stuff into the house. But I think having no money will help that out! I feel so much lighter now that I got ride of soooooo much stuff!
Laura Marie #369
www.lauramariedesign.com
"It's not the size of the farm but the size of your heart!"
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txbikergirl
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Cindy
Elkhart
TX
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2009 : 7:02:23 PM
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four years ago my hubby and I sold our house and moved into our vacation home, on a lake and PAID for... the downside was we went from 2500 sq ft to 900 sq ft.
Four years later we are still in that 900 sq ft, and I am grateful for it. So easy to clean that little space, so inexpensive to heat and cool that little space, so inexpensive to improve or remodel that little space. It has been such a blessing, I am loving it.
It has really made us thin out our stuff and only keep what is really needed or dear to our hearts.
Best of luck to ya!
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Bread the Mary Jane Way
- started Mother 6/28/09
- Hodgson Mill Organic unbleached flour
- well water w/ reverse osmosis filter
- feeding twice as much once a day to eliminate excess hooch
- first sourdough loaf 7/25/09 - GREAT!
- using KA bread flour for loafs |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2009 : 04:00:15 AM
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6 hours in the master bedroom yesterday. It was my catch-all room. (sigh) I'm embarrassed. But it looks 85% better! Hubby happily loaded my truck once again and took garbage to the alley & recycling.
I cannot tell you how much lighter and relaxing that room feels now! I still have some more work to do in there. My bookcase - I have that next to my bed instead of a bed stand. A box that I just didn't know what to do with the stuff. 2 totes of things I saved from when my girls were babies. I think I can go through those and be able to whittle it down to 1 now.
The closet - That needs to be tackled. It's a walk-in.
Hubby also cleaned up our big hallway. It had lots of construction materials & tools from our bathroom remodel. Since we're not remodeling our bedrooms until spring he cleaned it all up and dusted!
I pray I can keep up the momentum!
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place |
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Toots
True Blue Farmgirl
68 Posts
Barb
Brussels
Ontario
Canada
68 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 12:21:55 PM
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You have all given me the kick I need! Got my apron on and the garage is now done! We renovated this summer and things are finally getting back into place. I had my 3 girls in one room and it was time to separate and divide!!! They all get along real well but housing stuff for 3 girls in a not real big room was terrible. Now it seems everyone has there own shared space mind you but it is working real well. Now I have to go through all the the clothes that were put away last year. The salvation army is going to be full by the time I drop everything else. Keep up the great work ladies and thanks for the motivation! God Bless
Barb |
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twink
True Blue Farmgirl
131 Posts
Deb
Rapid City
SD
USA
131 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2009 : 6:12:54 PM
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I think I have to hire someone to do this for me. I'm too busy during the week days, and too exhausted on weekends to even think about what to do with all the junk around this place. I agree with the poster who said she thinks the stuff clones in the closets. 
I have so much furniture and not enough house, is the big problem. Since my Mom passed away I ended up with quite a bit of her stuff, which I was going to use in a lower level bedroom. But each time I walk in there to paint and get started, I think about her and I just can't make myself STAY in that room to get anything done.
Yep, definitely a job for a professional "thrower-awayer". Anyone want the job?! 
-Deb
http://healthtalk.6.forumer.com/index.php
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll land amongst the stars. - Anonymous |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2009 : 7:05:41 PM
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Deb ~ you're doing fabulous! I'm a packrat too, but a reforming one. I'm so happy when I clean and pare down what I have and actually have made my home more liveable, but I've got so far to go still...
I'm really proud of all of you for simplifying. Doesn't it feel good? 
Twink, I'm so sorry about your mom, it takes time to be able to deal with all of that. I wish I lived closer, because I'd love to come help too! I'm gettin' pretty darned good at tossing stuff
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2009 : 04:38:31 AM
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When I walk into my bedroom and I see that "wide open space" I just take it all in! I have to remind myself of that feeling. I don't want to go back to my cluttered way.
I've been sick for about a week so I haven't been working on my clutter. Just general cleaning.
I hope to get back on the bandwagon soon!
Twink - I'm sorry about your Mom too. I think when you have emotional attachment to things you just can't take that step. I have a dresser in my hallway that dh has mentioned a few times about tossing. It was my Great Grandmas. Yes, it is a bit beatup - but I just can't get rid of it. It serves a purpose, BUT I have sentimental value to it. Perhaps in time I will be able to but not anytime in the near future.
Farm Girl #790
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place
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Choctaw Farm Gal
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Nancy
Oklahoma
46 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2009 : 05:12:28 AM
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I save things...So, when cleaning an overloaded room, I find it helpful to set aside a few baskets to collect those special things that are not really junk, but items no one else would appreciate outside the family - like heartfelt cards, notes & old letters from loved ones, the kids drawings, little toys & treasures or even a broken dish or piece of jewelry that remains a touchable link to a special branch of our family tree and heritage or even the fun times of a special vacation. Flat items can be sorted into fun scrapbooks for easy viewing & enjoyment. And dimensional items are wonderful displayed in a special shadow box that celebrates a theme or a loved one.
Keepsakes bring to mind special memories and fond thoughts that unite family & friends with appreciation and reminders of the simplest joys in Life. |
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Cleaning Up: This is IT!!! |
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This is IT!!!
