I keep my maps in the car, because that's where I am when I'm lost.

Marie----TOSS BOTH MAP BOXES! You can get updated ones from AAA as you need them and start fresh.

I thought I should check in. I didn't plan on doing this today but I ended up cleaning out the garage. Even sweeping the floor. My garbage pail is overflowing and I still have 2 days until garbage day.

I found the rest of my personal papers and have them in the garage by the steps, ready to go through. This is probably what started the garage cleanup. Including what is in a drawer in my bedroom,the papers I've staged on a chair in the living room, the filing cabinet folders and the garage, I'd say I have about 4 bins of papers to go through. But this time I will be ruthless. I never want to have to do this again. And when it's done, DH can't complain that I have all this stuff. He will be the one with ALL the boxes of papers, not me.

Tomorrow will be laundry room cleanup day. I also have to clean the house. I think that's another reason I ended up doing the garage. I wanted to show I did something today but I had no urge to clean the house.

Marie26, isn't it amazing what we can accomplish when we're avoiding cleaning the rest of the house!

I know exactly what you mean about DH's and papers. The problem I have is that my husband feels that any paper that isn't solely his, is mine. That includes ALL household paper, including the kids. I'm hoping to get enough cleared out that it is SO obvious that only "his" stuff is left laying around....

Julie, my husband is exactly the same (any paper that isn't solely his, is mine). Mine is probably worse, though, because he'll never put any of his papers away so it's always my fault when one of his papers gets misplaced.

I did the laundry room today and still avoided cleaning the house. I'm not sure what I'll work on tomorrow if I don't do the cleaning.

there's an advantage to having your DH delegate all that paperwork to you--you can throw it away without asking him!

Marie26, take a really GOOD look at the crud behind the toilet--down there on the floor.

That ought to get you motivated to take care of ALL those boxes of paper, LOL!

OH NO Talley Sue, that's not how I do it AT ALL!

Since I'm in charge of paperwork for 3 people, 2 houses, insurance forms, investment statements, bills, junk mail, etc., I ask him about ALL HIS papers.

Things like, "Honey, do you need this receipt for $2 from the grocery store? Are you saving this alumni magazine? Do you want this ad from your car dealership? Are you finished with the sports page from 4 days ago?"

I keep hoping it will drive him crazy and he'll get the hint and start picking up after himself.

I am pleased to report this morning there there are no visible paper hot spots in places where paper shouldn't be.

For the first time yesterday, when dh went through his mail, he actually sorted out the junk mail and put away his other papers. Maybe this was because he started with a clean slate since I had filed/thrown out all the papers in his stack on the kitchen island. Or maybe it's because we lost a $15.00 coupon to his favorite store that he thought was in that pile before I did the filing.

I'll be shocked, though, if he continues to do this. But at least for today, I am enjoying a kitchen with no clutter on the counters at all.

Talley Sue, you are right. I'd rather sort than clean. There is a TV show that dd has been wanting me to watch that will have the first 3 episodes on Sunday. DH doesn't want to watch it so I'll just hang out in the bedroom with my papers and start then. I don't want to go through all my stuff in front of DH because I know he'll just make comments about what I am doing. Besides, I feel personal papers should be sorted out during alone time. Does this make any sense to anyone else?

I thought I'd give my progress, if only to keep myself on track. I finally went through the 3 map boxes. It took me just over 2 hours to do and I ended up throwing out one overstuffed kitchen garbage bag. There are now 3 small plastic containers that are organized by city maps and tour guides, state and regional maps and maps of foreign countries. I had requested maps and a tour guide yesterday from AAA for an upcoming trip. I already had the tour guide. Next time, I can easily look to see what my needs really are. I found some maps from the mid 90's. I don't think I had ever gone through these maps before.

My next big project are my personal papers. But I'm determined to finally do it.

I did clean the bathroom but I still haven't tackled the dusting and vacuuming. It definitely is easier to sort than clean, at least for me.

Oh, I like these updates, Marie--thanks for posting them.

It inspires me, and I like the chance to cheer for you.

congrats on the maps.

You CAN do the personal papers. You WILL. I'm counting on it.

Remember, you needn't do them all at once. Just 15 minutes is enough for the start.

And be ruthless--make those papers EARN their spot in your home!

This afternoon I gave myself a time limit to clean the house and finally got it done. I even washed the kitchen floor. Yeah! Now I have no more excuses about not going through those papers, which is a good thing.

Talley Sue, since you've been reading my posts on the Wedding forum, you know I do have an ulterior motive to get this house in order. And I can honestly say that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Keep it up. I can tell you that the cleaning will be much easier as you get these piles gone.

How are you doing with the newspapers? I feel guilty, but I've tried the recycling, and we end up with tons in the garage before we go. Now, If the paper hasn't been read by the time I clean up the kitchen for the night, I just put it in the trash unread. That was really hard for me, but I need a clutter free home more than I need to read every little tidbit of news. I never keep the ads. In fact, I throw them away first thing.

My DH runs his office out of the home, so we have to keep track of all of the household costs for taxes. We have found that by scanning them into a PDF, we can keep really good records. Our home system is backed up nightly and off site monthly which helps the fear factor.

Is it a guy thing to read junk mail? My DH actually reads all of it, so I purge it out of the mail if I get to it first.

Gloria

I still have the newspapers. They are on the bench in the foyer in a large garbage bag. And the bag is just about full so I know I'll have to divide it into a box or another bag just to move it. I really need to take care of this. I just can't see throwing them out when I know I should be recycling.

Before now, though, they were a mess on the bench but at least they are neat until I take care of them.

I must admit I'm exhausted right now from the things I've done this week. I think I'm going to take the next couple of days off to just lay back and watch some movies.

I thought I'd give another update. I finally finished going through all of my "personal" papers bins. They were already somewhat organized. I didn't remember doing that. Anyways, I divided up all the kids school papers and put each into their own large envelope. I will now give them their papers. I realize these are more meaningful to them than me. I threw out a bunch of stuff but kept another large envelope of brochures, postcards and correspondence from our trips. One day, I'd love to do a collage from some of these.

I also filed some other items, such as politial information that I've kept from a few articles in the papers over the years as well as campaign info. Besides that, there were a few comic strips that I had cut out.

I put a bunch of telephone numbers and business cards that I had collected through the years together in an envelope in my "junk" drawer. That will also have to be gone through again as well as another drawer in the kitchen that I've been using as a staging place. And I finally did my party box.

Now I have other projects to do. They are:

Go through all the stationery and office products. I have tons. This has always been a weakness of mine and now I am paying for it by needing to organize all of it. I just hate to throw good stuff out, especially if it is something we probably will use. It's more of how many of something do we need. I'll have to make some tough decisions.

Then there are the photos. I'd like to go through this and give each of the kids a bunch of photos to keep.

There is also a box that has just about every employment letter I've ever sent out as well as copies of all my resumes through the years. We've moved alot, so I was always looking for new jobs. Again, I'll have to be ruthless in weeding this one out.

I have 3 boxes of games that I will be giving many away.

There is a box that I've been using as a staging place for some projects that I've been working on. I will have to go through this box and sort it out properly.

I still have a bunch of shoes to try on that I haven't worn them in years although most are newer. (I had foot surgery and although I am finally able to wear "normal" shoes, I've bought new pairs). I think I will give most of these to one of my daughters because she is the same shoe size and, as I said, they are fairly new. Besides, she has asked for them

And finally, there is a large cabinet in the garage of books and more papers and binders and office supplies that I will have to be ruthless and weed out. This will be my biggest challenge because I think I need everything in there. When do we reach the point that what we are keeping is worth keeping?

I'm sorry this was so long but the thought of having to post my progress here has really kept me on track. Whenever I wanted to slack off today, I just kept telling myself that I wanted to post about completing a task.

I went through the job search box. It took only about 1 1/2 hours to do. I ended up sorting the papers into large envelopes that now is only 4" tall. At some point, I'll weed one of those envelopes out but I'm happy with what I did so far. At least I have another empty box and a large bag of trash.

Besides, she has asked for them

Bye-bye, shoes!! Don't even try them on--pack them up and ship them off! One thought--after "years," many shoes end up w/ dried-out glue on the insole; unless you want to pay to have that reglued, "Dormant" shoes are actually at risk of deterioration. So be skeptical.

And you know what, you deserve new shoes after all the frustration and discomfort of your foot surgery!

stationery and office products: I'm a bit like you--I love this stuff. But, also like you, I don't use it at the rate that I can buy it. Which means, I have too much. There is no debate--if you have stuff you're not using up in a year, you simply have too much.

I've actually gotten downright ruthless. My vote: Take most of this stuff to work and put it on the giveaway shelf. Or whatever equivalent. Give extra pens to a teacher. Pass it on. It doesn't matter whether it's "still good" in some mythical way. It isn't doing YOU any good, is it? It gets in the way, eats up time. And is squandering its lift while it languishes in your drawers or on your shelves.

Vow to keep very little. In fact, without looking in the drawers or on the shelves, make a list of what you think you *ought* to have--how much stationery at a time? What kinds of glue? or paper clips? Then, only fill that list.

(remember that having a lot of stationery means you can't buy any NEW stuff, no matter how great the stuff in the stores is)

. It's more of how many of something do we need. 5, is my limit on individual things. 5 twist ties, 5 duck sauce packets, 5 refill rolls of scotch tape. Or, if they come in boxes of multiples, one box. One box of staples; one box of paper clips. One folder of "memories"; one folder of old resumes and clips; one folder of craft ideas. One package of paper plates; one package of plastic flatware.

That's all, at a time. I will not use up those paper clips soon enough to warrant keeping all 10 little boxes around. Ditto all the other things--it's not possible for me to actually DO more than one folder's worth of craft ideas--not in my lifetime.

I know that when I buy paperclips, I end up w/a ton if I get them at Staples. Bcs the jumbo multipack is the same price as a single pack. So I give the extras away.

I figure, I am NOT going to pay even MORE than the purchase price--remember what you wrote? "I am paying for it by needing to organize it.

Try to cut "expenses"--try to value your TIME and your ENERGY as much as you do your actual cash. (a hard transition--not one I've completely made, but I'm getting better w/ practice)

When do we reach the point that what we are keeping is worth keeping?

There's the $50 question! I think it's different for everyone. But honestly, if you've lived w/ it in the garage and haven't gone to actually get it (or haven't wanted to but chickened out bcs the garage is cold), you don't need it. Honest, you don't.

You'll have to find your own comfort zone w/ this. My own opinion, from way over here, is that you've already kept stuff you should have tossed (campaign info? some of those phone numbers & business cards?).

But, I'm perhaps further along the frustration line (I value the freedom from worrying about these papers more than I value the comfort or history the papers give me), and more trusting of my ability to re-get what I need (or cope if I can't), and more honest w/ myself about whether I should keep comic strips or interesting articles I read, and more willing to let some things (old resumes, even old clips) slide into the past. So I may not be the best judge of what's "worth keeping" for you.

And remember that even if you postpone a decision (as w/ those phone numbers & business cards), each time you evaluate "should I keep this?", you'll get closer to the final answer of what's worth keeping. So many people talk about how they get more and more willing to let go of stuff as they move along.

They start to enjoy the empty space (or the elbow room in their storage space); they learn to trust that they'll be OK if they throw that folder of papers out (bcs they see that they are OK without it); they see the same stuff often enough to realize that they haven't wanted it since the last 6 times they "organized it."

Hooray for all that progress you've been making! Not only are you making order (and even room) in your house, but you are educating yourself about what is "truly worth keeping" in your home!

Keep us posted--this is fun! Vicarious organization and decluttering!

I finally finished (re)organizing the stationery/office products. At the same time, I was able to clean out the junk drawer which is now almost empty. I have drawers that this stuff was always in but now it is more organized than I ever managed to do before. This time, I used plastic bags and rubber bands to keep like things together. I put the items that I use regularly in plastic bags in the junk drawer in the kitchen.

The items I have multiples of are boxes of staples, staplers, and scotch tape. I think I win a record for having the most scissors. I hate to admit that I own 22 pairs. I don't even do scrapbooking and usually just tear out coupons instead of cutting them. I really don't know where they came from.

My next project was supposed to be the cabinet in the garage this afternoon because the weather is pretty good. But it's dh's birthday, so I need to clean up and concentrate on supper.

Hopefully, I'll get to the cabinet tomorrow.

We buy more scissors, whatever, because we can't find what we need, when we need it. Now that you have a pair for the kitchen, desk, your jar with pencils, etc. it's time to put 18 of those scissors in the give away bag.

Gloria

I thought that if I took them to Goodwill, the people there would think I must have an ulterior motive as to why I own so many pairs. But I did buy my granddaughter a new kids pair 2 weeks ago because I had no idea where the previous one I bought was. It is a good feeling to now be able to find all these things.

I noticed a box on top of the cabinet in the garage this afternoon. I have a feeling it's more office supplies. I'll open it tomorrow.

....each time you evaluate "should I keep this?", you'll get closer to the final answer of what's worth keeping. So many people talk about how they get more and more willing to let go of stuff as they move along....

Talley Sue, you're definitely describing ME! This is exactly why I can clean the same drawer every 6 months and continue to pare the contents by half when nothing was added in the interim.

And I continue to be amazed at how much stuff I eliminate was NOT ours to begin with.

Julie, you hit the nail on the head -- stuff that was NOT ours to begin with.

At different points in my life I've had stuff that belonged to my late MIL, my favorite cousin, my sisters, and my own parents and I haven't been able to part with lots of it simply because it belonged to them (and in my mother's case, I might hear about it if I got rid of it -- though that has become a much smaller issue of late since she joined FlyLady herself).

I've been paring back and paring back for years, and I'm still not done. I did finally get rid of all the extra "someone might need this someday can you store it for me?" furniture in my basement, but I still haven't parted with the MIL's shrimp forks, lol.

It's just a matter of continuing to go through stuff and get rid of it as I'm able.

I did the cabinet in the garage today. I organized it in such a way that when I get to the staging box in the living room, I will be able to organize into the cabinet. I noticed that I am missing my label maker. There are still 3 boxes of games to go through from the move last December. I'm hoping they were mislabeled and the label maker is in there.

Besides the staging box, I need to go through some more personal papers and take my folders out of the filing cabinet and put them into the garage cabinet in the empty binders that I have.

Looking back on what I've done so far, it appears that I am making great headway. I'm pleased with myself.

I have an old miniature violin that the handle is off. But my late mother had played it and it's hard for me to part with. What should I do with it?

Marie - could you put the violin in a shadow box and display it? I am planning to do this with a collection of umbrella handles from my grandmother.

The shadow box is a wonderful idea. I hadn't thought of that.

I hope I'm not boring anyone with my updates but checking in helps me.

I finished the game boxes in the garage. The label maker was in one of the boxes as well as a bicycle helmet and more papers that I had to go through. There are a lot of games to be given away.

I still have to organize a box of papers in the living room and move them to the garage cabinet. There are papers in my bedroom and the filing cabinet that need to be better organized and moved to the cabinet as well. Then I will have all my personal papers organized and in one place.

There is also one drawer left in the kitchen to go through but it's not really that bad. Then I need to put all those shoes in a box for dd to go through. Also, I will need to throw out most of those business cards and phone numbers that I (stupidly) mixed with my current ones.

There are the photo boxes to sort so I can give away a bunch of the photos. Also, I now have a box of computer stuff that I need to weed out. And I still have a very messy curio cabinet. I should better organize my nighttable drawers at some point as well.

This really is neverending. I hope to say one day it's all done. After so many years of collecting and moving, I'm surprised I was able to find anything at all. I think living in a smaller place has forced the issue because, besides the garage, there is only a linen closet that I have been able to hide anything in.

At least all the bins are empty. The one thing I have learned from this experience is that the filing cabinet for personal (research) projects was a terrible idea for me. If I don't see something staring me in the face, I tend to ignore it. So, organizing everything into the cabinet will finally force me to take ownership of all this stuff.

Marie,

I enjoy your updates. It's encouraging to know other people are trying to accomplish things, too.

Some days I swear I feel like the only person in the world with clutter issues, then I come here and feel better.

A shadow box seems like the perfect solution for the violin!

Julie

Yesterday, I cleaned out that one drawer in the kitchen. And several more "personal" folders that were in the filing cabinet. These were refiled properly or put with my other personal papers.

I now have to go through the final "personal papers" that are now in a dresser drawer. I didn't know where they should end up but I had a lightbulb moment when I was at the store this morning. I already have one not very big bin with personal papers in the garage that I have kept for many years (and will not get rid of). Today, I purchased one that is a bit bigger. I am going to put all these organized personal papers along with the papers from the original bin into this new container. That way, I will only own one bin of personal stuff. I hadn't gone through any of these papers in years so making the original bin just a bit bigger is a bonus for me.

After that, my next project will be to organize all my "project" papers that have been staged in the living room. They will go into the cabinet in the garage.

Whenever I'm on this forum, I end up feeling guilty that I have kept any personal papers. Please tell me that hanging onto 1 bin is not ridiculous, considering that I'm 54 years old.

Marie,

Keep all the personal papers you need (I said OK, so stop feeling guilty). You're doing great, and having the papers in one spot instead of in every room (I'm exaggerating) in the house is a big organizing step, and you'll know exactly where something is if you ever want to look at it.

Marie, I'm 49 and I guess I don't understand what you are keeping.

I have a file of personal stuff relating to my job. Transcripts, records of employment, etc. Each family member has a banker's type box to keep momentos. I have things like my yearbooks and cards in mine. DH keeps his scout badges and even his music from high school marching band in his. I don't care what anyone keeps as long as it isn't more than the box.

Remember The Bridges of Madison County where the kids had a hard time after reading the mom's personal papers? I decided there was quite a chunck of my earlier days that my kids didn't need to see after I'm gone. Old letters and even pictures of those earlier, not so sober and not so clothed times went in the trash. Cards and letters from old boyfriends I don't even remember. Especially stuff from the ex.

No one is going to tell you what is important to you or what you should or should not keep. Just keep in mind that it takes a bunch of energy, both physical and emotional, to keep track of this stuff and move it around. It has to be worth it to you to use your energy this way.

Keep going on the stuff that obviously can be gotten rid of and worry about the personal stuff on your next paper purge.

Gloria

I have some papers that I consider "mementoes"--stuff from high school, college, clubs, etc. I've found that when I go through them to weed them out, I remember whole chunks of my life that I'd forgotten.

And I'm glad to remember those parts of my life. (My kids won't "get it," when they go through those papers, but there's nothing embarrassing.)

So, I've decided to keep them. I don't look at them very often--7 years of ago between attempt to purge. But when I do, I get a whole dose of my past. A dose I'm GLAD to get. And, each time I try to purge, I do let go of 2 or 3 papers.

But I don't apologize for those things. They are my scrapbook (and they take up less space than a scrapbook, bcs I don't have to store the scrapbook itself).

I think the idea of consolidating them into 1 box is good. There *is* a cost associated w/ keeping them (not a monetary one; an energy one), and putting them in a single, easy-to-use, durable box will halve that "cost." Look how "frugal" you're being!

(If your papers are a bit like mine, you'll also be doubling their OUTPUT--bcs should you go through them, you'll have the whole stash at once, and get to look at them all, instead of only a part at a time)

I'm one of the voices that keeps encouraging you to ditch stuff, but I dont' th ink you should ditch it ALL. Just the parts that truly don't matter.

And only you can decide what doesn't matter. Some stuff, you do keep. Even if it doesn't seem "useful"--my 4-H papers and Drama Club papers ARE useful. I don't *do* those things anymore, but the papers serve me when I look at them again.

I love the way Gloria said it:

No one is going to tell you what is important to you or what you should or should not keep. Just keep in mind that it takes a bunch of energy, both physical and emotional, to keep track of this stuff and move it around. It has to be worth it to you to use your energy this way.

Congrats on your brainstorm, and good luck in your future progress.

I finally finished putting ALL my personal papers into my new bin. The other one is now empty and the new one still has some room left in it (good or bad). I was even able to weed out more papers and put aside the kids papers that were in there to give to them.

Talley Sue, you are right in your thinking that each time I go through this box, it just brings back good (and some sad) memories.

Next are my "project papers" that are staged in the living room. They will end up in the garage cabinet, completely organized.

This is the first time in my entire life that I can say that any of "my" papers will be in 2 spots and easily accessible.

Marie,

Congratulations! I'm sure having the personal papers put in one place is a load off your mind. Feels good, doesn't it!

I am ready to cry!

I was almost finished putting items on the last shelf in the cabinet and one side of the cabinet fell apart! Literally! Folders with papers and books flew all over the floor (and my foot) and the 4 shelves fell on top of each other. This cabinet wasn't right when we moved in here in January and the movers had sent someone to fix it. I called them and they're sending the same guy back but he might not show up for several weeks. I can't even close the cabinet.

I am so upset because a portion of my organizing is gone Also, I won't be able to do the final organizing of putting the information into binders because I'm afraid of touching the other side of the cabinet where this all is.

I know I can't give up but this is so frustrating, especially since I only had several more hours work in that cabinet. I hope I can get my determination back but for the moment, at least, it's all gone.

Oh, go ahead and cry. maybe it'll make you feel better.

I sure would want to! What a bummer!

Frankly, esp. if you think it will be a while before it gets fixed, I'd get some cardboard boxes, and gingerly unpack that cabinet. Get an extra set of hands to help you. See if you can arrange that in some way that eases the stress on the lumber. And you.

Seriously. Because leaving it standing half-broken can lead to MORE damage. Try to unload it, to reduce the stress on the shelves, etc. And see how you can either prop

You'll find that REorganizing the stuff the fell out will go faster than you think--it always does, once the foundation is created. And you've made that foundation. You did the hard part. Now you'll just put them back in the spot you ALREADY picked for them.

Best of luck!

Thanks, Talley Sue. I already put all the items from that top shelf into a box. I suppose I could go through that box and organize it (again). This has forced me to put that on my "soon to do" list. Originally, I had not planned on doing this in the immediate future. Well, maybe it's just as well that it happened. Now I'll have to take care of 6 shelves in the cabinet instead of the 2 that I had targeted. At least there are 4 shelves that are still standing on the other side that are perfectly organized.

Looking back at my post, I realize I did write it in a moment of despair. Nothing like getting on a roll and something stopping you dead in your tracks.

Actually, at this point, I hope the cabinet is deemed unfixable and the moving company will give me the replacement cost (that we have) for a new one. I know dh would love this because he thinks the cabinet is oversized and during each move, he begs me to get rid of it. I, however, love the cabinet and had gotten a great deal on it.

It's a sign! I'm tellin' you it's a sign!!!

Okay, how in the heck does a cabinet fall apart? I have a corner cabinet I wish would fall apart. It's the last thing from my husband's bachelor days.

"At least there are 4 shelves that are still standing on the other side that are perfectly organized." Ooo, there's those dreaded words again.

Sounds like boxing it up for a big is your best bet.

Gloria

Make that "sounds like boxing it up for a BIT is your best bet."

I wish they had spell/grammar check on these things. I don't like opening up a word processing doc.

Gloria

Marie, as TS expressed, it is indeed an bummer! I'm not sure now whether you want this cabinet or not however IF you do, I'd be calling that company back, telling them it may NOT be 'several weeks' and that either (example) Thursday or Friday works for you. I'm getting this cabinet problem resulted from their poor workmanship in the first place and has now caused YOU a large mess. As well, if you really would prefer a new cabinet, pushing them (giving them the alternative) may achieve that result.

Just my thots FWIW.

I took everything out of the side of the cabinet that fell apart. There are two sides to the cabinet and each side has a bifold door. Luckily, the other side is still okay.

When I took everything out, I organized the books and papers into boxes, while weeding out some that will go into the trash. It's a good thing I had cleaned out my garage because I had room for these newly filled boxes. I noticed that the inner side of the side is all crushed in on the top. The shelves are all scratched up as well. I don't think the cabinet is repairable and I will demand the replacement cost for a new one should I be correct. Now I have to do research to find the cost.

I did organize almost all of the paperwork on the other side of the cabinet. I don't know why it took so many years to organize this properly but I should look ahead and know that the information I am saving will be so much easier to get to. It is all neatly in plastic sleeves in binders on one shelf. Before, I had empty binders on one shelf and papers in various parts of the house. All I have left to organize is one large envelope of some more papers (hopefully by tomorrow).

Then my paper problem will be solved, once and for all. Besides my one bin of keep forever personal papers, I have 3 small bins of papers, etc. for 3 different projects and the one shelf of binders. There is still the one drawer in the filing cabinet that is holding the household papers.

Then, it's time to do the photos.

I have a question regarding computer books. I have books on excel, etc. that are earlier versions from what I have on my computer now. Are these books useless or worth keeping? I don't own any updated versions of these books.

I would keep the books if you don't have updated version and you actually look up information from time to time. If they just sat on the shelf and you didn't look things up for the last two years, then off they go.

Gloria

Marie, EXCELLENT progress! Pat yourself on the back for me.

LOL... I was going to say TOSS the Excel books! Once you are familiar with the program basics, the online Help should be Ok for you. Looking at old books means you miss the updated features in the new program.

Julie

I just reread some of the posts. I finished the photos today. It only took a few hours to organize, partly because only 1/2 were unorganized. I put aside a bunch of photos for each of the kids. I couldn't yet let go of most of those when they were younger but the fact that I was able to let go of any at all is a big step for me. Anyways, I now have all the photos, including those that are framed and won't be put up in this house, in one big box. I put the box in the garage near the garage door which I realized I will have to move somewhere else so that I can be assured of no water damage. I think I should buy another large plastic bin to put the photos into instead of the box so that they will stay dry.

I also went through all the medicines and most have been thrown out.

I still have some boxes in the living room that I had organized which still have to be moved to the garage. I'd gotten so used to them being there that they became part of the room's decor.

I also went through my nighttable and was able to empty one drawer.

Another thing I did was put together more kitchen items that I will offer to my kids. I did this when I organized the pantry and couldn't take the mess these items were making on one of the shelves. I knew I was only using a few of them, so I finally realized I didn't need the rest. If I do need something again, I can buy it.

I haven't gone through my shoes yet but will just ask my daughter what she wants when she visits next weekend and decide then if I want to keep any. I'll also let her look at my cookbooks and decide which of those she chooses to give to her. It's easier for me to do this than decide ahead of time what I want to keep.

One last thing. I made a breakthough. My 3-year-old gd has been staying with us for awhile. She will be going home in a week and a half. One of the things we had bought her were plastic beads which she was enjoying. Then they became a mess around the house and she wouldn't keep them together in one place. I threw them out. I never did this when my own kids were young. I finally realized it is easier to get rid of something she wasn't into anymore than fight about the mess they were making.

I think I'm just about done with my organizing. There is a pile of magazines that I can go through to cut out articles but I might just donate all of them instead of bothering with it.

So now I will have no more excuses not to get to those projects that are in the binders in my cabinet.

"I'd gotten so used to them being there that they became part of the room's decor"

This is so true, isn't it? Our place is only about 80% complete for the remodel and most of the things left are finishing things like baseboard, paint and light fixtures. When someone comes over and remarks about the bare bulbs still hanging, I'm almost startled. I really have gotten use to them.

And yes, just get rid of those magazines without going through them. There will be plenty more articles in the next batch.

Gloria

Marie -
Progress! Itn't it great?

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The newspapers need to go! Are there any drop-off bins for them? If you find a bin along a route you often take, you can mke it go along with shopping ... papers go out to make room for groceries in.

If your area is just not easy to recycle in, and there are no organizations that have "paper drives" ... trash them.

ADS:
The ads are short-term promotions. There will be more with the next newspaper.
Would this work?

1. Coupons for things you buy? Cut them out and put them in a coupon wallet. Discard the rest of the ads.

2. Ads for things you need REAL SOON! Clip the ad for that thing and put it in your wallet as a reminder to buy it. Discard the rest of the ads. Throw out the ad as soon as you buy the product.

3. Ads for things you will need eventually (if you are planning a remodel or refurnish), or ads for "I can make that!" items. Clip the ad for that thing and put it in a folder labeled "Future Furniture" or whatever as a reminder to buy it. Discard the rest of the ads.

Notice that you are only keeping the few square inches of paper that is of interest, not 8 sheets of it.

With this approach, I turn a stack of Sunday ads into 15-20 coupons, and maybe a clip in a file folder of gardening ideas. A whole home and garden magazine becomes a few additions to the recipe folder and a clipping in a "How to" folder.

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"filled a large garbage bag with unneeded stuff. It's in the corner of the garage for now because there are things in there that my kids might need for their kitchens."

How old are the kids? Unless they are within a year or so of moving out, the stuff might not be worth the space it's taking up. And storing in bags doesn't work well - they don't stack tidily and the stuff breaks. If it's worth keeping, store it securely in boxes that stack.

*********
"5-drawer filing cabinet"
Storing at the point of need tends ot keep clutter down more than a huge storage place that isn't convenient.

I threw out all the newspapers because it's too difficult to take them for recycling. I've been throwing them out regularly since I got rid of the first batch. I feel bad doing this but since there's no recycling in this area, I have no choice.

I keep the ads that I might use in a folder in the kitchen drawer and swap them each week. This has been working well for me. I now also cut out any coupons I might use as soon as I get them.

All my kids are coming in this week for my daughter's wedding. One is coming by car and I know she needs kitchen items, etc. The one getting married also needs items but she is traveling by plane so it might be too difficult for her to take back some things. It's in everybody's best interest to have them look through all the items I don't use anymore. I've had a hang-up when it comes to purchasing kitchen items so there's a lot for them to check out.

I am now only using the filing cabinet for household papers. I was so excited when I bought it, but it just doesn't work for me. The binder system I've set up will work so much better. The filing cabinet became an out of sight, out of mind problem for me. The binders are more in my face and I've been able to organize within these binders.

I will offer the magazines to the kids when they are here. The daughter who is coming in by car and I have swapped magazines in the past. Hopefully, she'll take them. Unlike (the old) me, she's really good about getting rid of stuff when she's done with it.

I threw out all the newspapers because it's too difficult to take them for recycling. I've been throwing them out regularly since I got rid of the first batch. I feel bad doing this but since there's no recycling in this area, I have no choice.

YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!

I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE FREE OF THEM!!

And that's right, you have no choice. So don't feel bad. Your municipality has decided that this is the most effective way for them to deal w/ newspapers.

And congrats on adapting to the binder system. i think it's important to recognize what works, and stop trying to force ourselves to use the stuff that doesn't.

Thanks for the update!

BYE BYE NEWSPAPERS! Hooray for you! We quit taking the daily metro paper because by the time I got around to reading it after work, I'd heard the news on the car radio. The local paper is only twice a week, and we pick up the Sunday paper after church (believe it or not, it's cheaper at the drug store!).

Now that you have everything packed up and out of the house, remember this:

What the kids don't take should be donated ASAP. You don't need it, they don't need it, but someone somewhere does. Get rid of it before you decide to hang on a little longer!

Hope your daughter's wedding was a happy day for all!

Julie

The kids were here last weekend but 2 arrived very late Friday night for their sister's wedding on Saturday. The only things I was able to give to them were the photos I had put aside for each child and the school papers. They enjoyed receiving these so much and they all had good laughs when looking at the photos. My son was shocked that I still had these photos. He had assumed that they were lost.

It feels good to have the photos and papers given to their rightful owners. I still have some photos of when they were very young as well as some that were from special events. But they have the majority of "their" photos.

I will have to make some decisions regarding the kitchenware and games in the garage. It is so cold here that I'll have to wait until I can stand to be in the garage for more than 10 seconds. Also, the fix-it guy never did come back to fix my cabinet. I need to get those items that are now in bins and boxes back in the cabinet. I do need to weed out more stuff. I have so many how-to books that I've purchased throughout the years and can't seem to part with them. Please give me permission to let them go!

Aren't those how to books just right up there with the magazines for holding promise?

Really, really just let those books go to the thrift store, so that some poor soul out there will buy them and be able to do all of the things they have only dreams of, but never knew how to do!!!

Gloria

if you haven't done those how-to things, you probably won't. You'll get inspired by something new.

Get rid of them, and the idea of doing a craft, or a repair, or whatever, will stop seeming like "a chore I've never gotten around to" and will again feel like "a cool new project to play with."

Also, technology has changed. Glues are different; clays are different; etc. So to make the same sort of a thing as in that old magazine, you may not be able to find the same products--and there may be new stuff you can use that will be easier to use, more effective, prettier looking, etc.

Those how-to books are all about starting a business. All those binders and folders are various business ideas I've had through the years. I can give 1,000 excuses why I never actually started my own little business but I need to stop that behavior and "Just do it". The ideas in binders already are well researched. Those in folders are not. I just have to figure out which idea to go forward with first.

So, should these "how to start a business" and "how to do a business plan" books be gotten rid of? I've hardly ever looked at them and bought most when they were on clearance.

I don't live anywhere near a university or I would take a course instead of trying to figure this out on my own.

I would still get rid of them. My parent's owned a business, both of my DH's have been self-employeed and owned their own businesses, my brother and SIL have had their own business. I have a small business on the side of my teaching job. Even my elementary school aged kids are setting something up for next spring to sell worms to the bait shops.

What's holding you back? The SBA has a huge amount of information if you are needing loans, etc. Otherwise it is more of a "hold your nose and jump in" type thing. The learning comes with the doing. And a good accountant and attorney.

Gloria