Simplifying and decluttering our homes one item per day
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Day 19: Sock Drawer
In my sock drawer I found two red jingle bells (!), some mismatched socks, and a sleeping mask that I must have gotten on a plane sometime and never used. Out they all went.
When I look at the sock drawer, I try to do the math. How many pair of socks would I have to wear per day to wear all of these socks in one week? I did, however, tackle that area on one of the first days of the challenge. One grocery bag, filled with JUST socks, went to the Goodwill. I will decide on the theme of my challenge when I get home! :o)
Today I finished organizing the 4th of the 5 shelves I am working on! Threw out 1 board game and 5 make-up related items. Also put one scarf into the give-away box.
Here are the url addresses to pics of my shelf...before and after so far. If they don't come up as links (which I don't think they will) you can copy and paste into your address bar to take a look.
It's exciting to see some real progress! Thanks, Simplify!
Before: http://home.comcast.net/~mckeens/shelf002.jpg Two Shelves Done: http://home.comcast.net/~mckeens/shelffirsttwo.jpg Four Shelves Done: http://home.comcast.net/~mckeens/shelffourdone.jpg
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross, To see a fine lady upon a white horse; With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music wherever she goes.
Heidi, you'll still have music wherever you go even without those jingle bells!
My sock drawer is already in good shape, but I found some rejects in my pantyhose and knee high stockings drawer.
Wow! Love the shelves! I hope mine look like that sometime this year. Since it's been several days since I concentrated on simplifying, I will "back pay" with 2 shirts and 1 nightgown into the give away box, found one more "stinky" pillow hiding under the couch so it went into the trash, also rid the cupboard of 2 snowman mugs I acquired in a white elephant exchange this past Christmas(!) and an espresso cup that came with my espresso maker that I've had for 2 years and have never used and will never use. This is so much fun, Heidi!! BTW, jamckeen, are you wishing to remain anonymous or do we know you?? Just curious cuz you are really good at organizing shelves;-) And, Ivy, do you "do the math" in EVERYTHING at home or do you sometimes leave the math in school and just think like a "normal person?"
hey - thanks for checking out the shelves and for your encouragement! *Again - thanks to Simplify for this blog! :)
So, here's the part of the shelf that isn't done yet...not to mention check out the floor around the shelf. That floor area will have to be my next project after the shelves are done.
I'm finding that thinking about what to get rid of - that one item per day - just creates in my mind a gateway to do more. I've probably averaged 5 minutes of working on decluttering per day and it's paying off big time! :)
Unfortunately, there are numerous areas in my house that look like this - basically the whole computer room (where the shelves are located) and the entire basement. :(
oh - and my name is Julie McKeen. Met Simplify at church when she was fresh out of college and I was living in the 'burg with my family during school/summer vacations. We went to church together for years, and years, and years! :) Love her! Oh and we were in an investment club together for a few years. I know a couple other people on here, but I think the most active ones are teachers...so maybe know Simplify through that?
When I look at the sock drawer, I try to do the math. How many pair of socks would I have to wear per day to wear all of these socks in one week? I did, however, tackle that area on one of the first days of the challenge. One grocery bag, filled with JUST socks, went to the Goodwill. I will decide on the theme of my challenge when I get home! :o)
ReplyDeleteToday I finished organizing the 4th of the 5 shelves I am working on! Threw out 1 board game and 5 make-up related items. Also put one scarf into the give-away box.
ReplyDeleteHere are the url addresses to pics of my shelf...before and after so far. If they don't come up as links (which I don't think they will) you can copy and paste into your address bar to take a look.
It's exciting to see some real progress! Thanks, Simplify!
Before: http://home.comcast.net/~mckeens/shelf002.jpg
Two Shelves Done: http://home.comcast.net/~mckeens/shelffirsttwo.jpg
Four Shelves Done: http://home.comcast.net/~mckeens/shelffourdone.jpg
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross,
ReplyDeleteTo see a fine lady upon a white horse;
With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,
She shall have music wherever she goes.
Heidi, you'll still have music wherever you go even without those jingle bells!
My sock drawer is already in good shape, but I found some rejects in my pantyhose and knee high stockings drawer.
Your shelves look great, jamckeen! Well done!
ReplyDeleteWow! Love the shelves! I hope mine look like that sometime this year. Since it's been several days since I concentrated on simplifying, I will "back pay" with 2 shirts and 1 nightgown into the give away box, found one more "stinky" pillow hiding under the couch so it went into the trash, also rid the cupboard of 2 snowman mugs I acquired in a white elephant exchange this past Christmas(!) and an espresso cup that came with my espresso maker that I've had for 2 years and have never used and will never use. This is so much fun, Heidi!! BTW, jamckeen, are you wishing to remain anonymous or do we know you?? Just curious cuz you are really good at organizing shelves;-) And, Ivy, do you "do the math" in EVERYTHING at home or do you sometimes leave the math in school and just think like a "normal person?"
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I'm not sure I ever think like a normal person...It's getting late, I better go find a drawer to clean out!
ReplyDeletePS - They don't call it Everyday Math for nothin' !!!!! :o)
hey - thanks for checking out the shelves and for your encouragement!
ReplyDelete*Again - thanks to Simplify for this blog! :)
So, here's the part of the shelf that isn't done yet...not to mention check out the floor around the shelf. That floor area will have to be my next project after the shelves are done.
http://home.comcast.net/~mckeens/bottomshelfbefore.jpg
I'm finding that thinking about what to get rid of - that one item per day - just creates in my mind a gateway to do more. I've probably averaged 5 minutes of working on decluttering per day and it's paying off big time! :)
Unfortunately, there are numerous areas in my house that look like this - basically the whole computer room (where the shelves are located) and the entire basement. :(
oh - and my name is Julie McKeen. Met Simplify at church when she was fresh out of college and I was living in the 'burg with my family during school/summer vacations. We went to church together for years, and years, and years! :) Love her! Oh and we were in an investment club together for a few years. I know a couple other people on here, but I think the most active ones are teachers...so maybe know Simplify through that?
ReplyDeleteJulie, those photos are worthy of being on "Clean Sweep" or some similar show. Great job!
ReplyDeleteSusan, Cheryl, Ivy...love your comments!