Picture Frames

I used to make craft things with picture frames...and I would still like to, BUT...

1. I don't have the time.
2. What will I do with the things I make?
3. Where will I store the supplies?

Therefore, while going through items, I decided to get rid of 15 picture frames.  Ten of them can be used as is for pictures, 5 of them are straight from the craft store and ready for a project.

I probably won't use them anytime soon, if ever, and I would rather have the space right now.  While going through them I thought of FlyLady when she says that if an item can be easily replaced at a later time when you need it, get rid of it.  So, that's what I did.  I didn't need them, use them or love them; they are in my car ready to be dropped off today.  That makes me feel good :)

Here they are!

Boxes on Stairs

A few days ago I went through some of the items that were on the stairs and was able to throw away and give away some of the things.  I took a bag for donations that contained:

• two new car seat covers
• stuffed animals
• shower clock radio
• alarm clock

These were the main items along with some smaller things, but I was glad to get a bag dropped of at my local donation center.

What I threw away was a bunch of expired toiletries and other items such as:

• heating patches
• eyeliners
• lipliners
• lipsticks
• old cosmetic bags not donation worthy
• dried up markers

Again, there were other things, but I just can't remember what they were.

I did pull out a couple good things, band-aids and new in package tweezers.  Both of these will go to use.  In addition, I am giving a good 8" saucepan with lid and new cutting board to a friend of my mom's...I just hope I don't see it in the house for another week!  My mom told me her friend needs pans.

The rest of the things were books, learn to play the guitar DVD's, small enameled picture frames and my pans and a couple small kitchen gadgets.

Where in the world am I going to put the things I will use when I move out?  Maybe I'll re-box them in plastic containers and keep them in the basement as "KEEP" items.

...and it keeps emerging!

The clutter keeps coming out from hiding!  I just found more boxes and bags of things I must do something with.

It started with the mini fridge I took out of my bedroom (more on that in a bit) and wanted to put it back where I found it in the basement.  Well, while things were pulled out of the way so I could access the spot where the fridge needed to go, I found more of my stuff.  Sigh.  Boxes of books, pans, gadgets, we'll see what else!

It will take me time to go through them, but I will eventually.  Currently, they are sitting on the steps between the basement and main level of the house.  My mom was helping me as I pulled my boxes out and I didn't notice until afterwards that she had been putting them there.  She thought I was taking them upstairs.

The reason I had a mini fridge in my room was because when the fridge in the kitchen broke down, I didn't want to have to replace my cold items and needed a place to keep them.  Although there were other items in the fridge, I don't see this as selfish because I was the one who purchased the fridge a few years ago...the first time the kitchen fridge broke down.  At the time this was a favor to my mom, but it was hardly used, then put to the side.  Therefore, it is mine so I can do as I please. :)

By the way...the old fridge is STILL IN THE KITCHEN and freezer being used!

Sold!

I was so happy today when I showed a set of car rims to a man after having my local listing up for less than a day, and he bought them!  The price was right, and they were (in his eyes) in great condition...so he paid me $150 for the set!  On the phone I told him I wanted $120, but after we went our separate ways, I noticed he paid me $150 :)

These were car rims which I bought used for I think $150, used for one or two summers, and they've been sitting for a long time in the backyard collecting dirt, cobwebs, and who knows what else.  Yesterday I paid my brother $10 to wash them since I knew I had a potential buyer.

I'm just so happy to have gotten rid of that clutter...and that man is happy to have rims!

GOAL: Clean and clutter-free car

It's quite obvious that I have a goal of becoming clutter-free by getting rid of what I don't use or love, that's why I have this blog.  Another goal I have, which is ongoing, is to keep a clutter-free car.  I've been working on this for about five weeks or so, I didn't pay attention to when I started this goal.

There are different reasons I want to do this.  Some are:

• I don't like seeing "stuff" around my car, it's stressful.
• A clean and clutter-free car feels so nice, and I drive a lot!
• I'm tired of being embarrassed when someone suddenly has to ride with me and I need to excuse my clutter and move things around for them.
• I use it for work at least three times a week and sometimes unexpectedly! (see above)
• There will be less for a person to steal, if they happen to target my car (personal experience).

As if the reasons above weren't good enough, one of the main reasons I started this goal was because I really want to get a new (used) car, and the one I wanted was a luxury car.  You NEVER see messy or cluttered luxury cars, which means I would have to change my ways.  The reason I said "wanted" above is because I've been leaning towards a different make of car which isn't luxury...but the goal remains, regardless.

To top that off, a couple of weeks ago I was searching YouTube for a video on female car essentials and found one done by Maria Menunous (click to watch it).  She mentions in this video that someone who interviewed her wanted to look in her car, reason being, "...because a messy car means a messy life..."  It's true, and I don't want to come off as having a messy life.

Can I reach this goal?  I think so, been doing pretty well since I focused on it.  Yesterday I vacuumed it and even lightly Bisselled the dark colored carpets and seats for the first time since I bought the car in 2007!

Entryway Clutter Video

Although I felt real unmotivated yesterday after work, I had a sudden urge to pull my belongings out of the entry way closet to sort through them.  I can't believe I took over this closet after moving back home a few years ago.  Guess I had too many shoes and nowhere to store them.  The final count of shoes is unknown as I haven't actually done anything with them yet, I took so long in cleaning the closet, couldn't breathe anymore and was tired...will have to do them later.

Anyhow, it took me a few hours, and I wasn't planning on organizing like I did...it just happened.  The only way I could make sure I got all that was mine from there was to empty it out.  Again, there were bags of bags, tons of candles, board games we never play, except Scrabble and just lots of odds and ends.

Glad it's done, today I'm feeling accomplished.

No fun being a clutter bug!

Here's the video:

Ramblings

I don't believe I've decluttered anything since my last post, just been so dang busy with school, homework, and trying to have somewhat of a little social life.

Also, my bf has started teaching me how to play tennis, which is fun and great exercise, I love it!  All I had to purchase was a tennis racquet and balls.  Years ago I had a new one with the intention of learning, but it was stolen from my car :(

I must get back to decluttering though, if I ever want to leave my mom's house!  SO much to do!