View Full Version : February Purge
Starting the month off with the decluttering of 4 litter boxes. Needed to get bigger ones to accommodate my 20+ pound cat.
early morning
2-1-24, 1:15pm
I was going to say that I "declutter" litter boxes every day - but never mind, that's not exactly the same thing, lol. . . .
I recycled more papers from the stack that seems to grow beside the computer. Not a huge thing, but gone, all the same!
My rented condo’s every-two year inspection by the city will happen later this month. I need to get going with the decluttering and get things ready.
early morning, Any reduction of paper stacks is a WIN!!! My resolution to keep the calendar on the computer clear has been kept! I'm even clearing the side table that holds all the paper stacks, too.
My sister took away my donation box for me since she tends to stop by the thrift stores pretty often.
All the Amazon boxes broken down and ready for the dumpster. I had to replace the plastic mat under my desk chair as it had holes in it. New one shipped flat, not rolled up, so that box was huge. Going to take multiple cart loads out to the dumpster for everything.
It is satisfying to get rid of cardboard. We use it in the garden, so many of them avoid the recycler, but in the winter they tend to go in the bin.
Another year of old paper tax forms, as I only keep them for 7 years and filed for 2023 today. It’s my third year in a row filing electronically and doubt I will ever go back.
A glass hand soap dispenser that the top/nozzle kept falling off when you tried to use it. Got tired of dealing with it. Also a pair of youngest's pant that got bleached splattered on them.
It is satisfying to get rid of cardboard. We use it in the garden, so many of them avoid the recycler, but in the winter they tend to go in the bin.
Took two cartloads to get rid of everything, but I packed my cart carefully to get more in each load.
iris lilies
2-3-24, 8:37pm
I have to make a cardboard run to the recycling center. You all are reminding me.
Got rid of the knife sharpener and scissors that were in our knife butcher block. Had them over 20 years and never used them. Now getting to the knives we use will be a lot easier.
Three bags to goodwill. Books and thread to granddaughters and two heirlooms to son.
Child went through a bunch of old sports things that had been stored in a downstairs closet. Took several bats, rip board, batting helmet, etc. About a dozen different sports balls ended up in the garbage and the rest will get boxed up for yard sale or donation. Almost ready to start putting stuff back in the closet!!! LOL
3 containers of flavored salts this morning. I haven't used them in 3 years. Containers in the recycling.
This is very embarrassing to admit, but I went through my spice cupboards and found 27 bottles of expired spices to toss!
iris lilies
2-9-24, 10:05pm
This is very embarrassing to admit, but I went through my spice cupboards and found 27 bottles of expired spices to toss!
oh don’t feel bad. We ended up with many many many jars of spices when sets of friends moved and left them as well as lots of other stuff to us. Spices and refrigerators, that’s what we got from them. I have so many peppercorns. I do honestly think the black peppercorns will outlive me. We don’t use that much pepper.
rosarugosa
2-10-24, 7:03am
EJ: I will echo that you shouldn't feel bad; we did this cull a few years ago and probably tossed a comparable number. We've since tried to be more disciplined about buying what we'll use, but Penzey's often includes a freebie to try (sometimes something we end up really liking!), and it is nice to try something new occasionally, and sometimes you'll hit a fail.
PS: We use a lot of peppercorns!
I found two table clothes in my linen closet and at least one is going to go. Even for guests I use placemats any more. They are hand me downs from the 60's and sort of neat colorful patterns so will keep one just because or until the next purge. I recall using a table cloth several years ago.
I love tablecloths! I have way too many and am really drawn to them although half the time we do use placemats instead. I need to count mine and really ponder if I will use them all.
Just reread the last few posts and thank you for reminder to check the spice bottles--got rid of six old bottles.
Iris Lilies and Rosa - thanks for the reassurance about the spices! One thing I've learned is to buy the smallest bottles I can because I rarely can use up any spice before the expiration date.
iris lilies
2-10-24, 4:09pm
Iris Lilies and Rosa - thanks for the reassurance about the spices! One thing I've learned is to buy the smallest bottles I can because I rarely can use up any spice before the expiration date.
Well, yes, depends on the spice.
I will use up chili powder and tarragon within a year.
I made my own garam masala from Indian spice, ground them myself, but that mix is getting old.
Got rid of a bunch more small stuff - papers, Christmas cards, odd bits of toiletries.
Giving my newish air fryer to a coworker. I don’t have a lot of counter space and it takes up a lot. I’m happier with the microwave and the stove.
Finally have my place in shape for the every other year town rental unit inspection. It’s amazing what a month of being home sick by yourself does to your home. Chaos! LOL
I ignore expiration dates on spices but am working through mine to doctor up rice and other basics.
Replaced a purse with a broken zipper.
Two metal pooper scoopers. Had them about 3 years and needed to replace them.
If work is slow this week, I am going to go through all the old monthly purge threads and see if I actually got rid of what I said I would. I usually post things I have every intention of getting rid of before it's actually gone. Most of the time I follow through but I noticed in this thread alone, there are two instances where I said I was getting rid of something and I ended up pulling them out of the trash. One is the old litter boxes and the other are some pants that got bleach on them. Those will be gone today and won't be pulled out again. I am hoping there isn't a lot in other threads that I will have to redeclutter but we shall see.
Address labels
Bottle of Mylanta
Hi-liter
Scraps of paper with old info or phone numbers
Old business cards
Rusty old snow shovel
School supplies (binders/paper/dividers)
iris lilies
2-11-24, 1:28pm
my Persian cat is purging copious amounts of hair. When the sun came out and it warmed up to 70° this week, her hair just started clumping up and falling out. She has so much for that she gets hair comes in her feet!
I have an appointment to have her shaved so we will see how that goes. She had been shaved when I got her from cat rescue.
Took 2 items to the community fridge in our neighborhood.
Total for month: 29.
Another year of old paper tax forms, as I only keep them for 7 years and filed for 2023 today. It’s my third year in a row filing electronically and doubt I will ever go back.
Yppej, do you use electronic tax prep software like H&R Block's? I'm getting jammed up again using theirs. Which do you use, if any?
Congrats on getting yours done so quickly!
Yppej, do you use electronic tax prep software like H&R Block's? I'm getting jammed up again using theirs. Which do you use, if any?
Congrats on getting yours done so quickly!
I use Turbo Tax.
Got rid of some fraying phone chargers.
rosarugosa
2-20-24, 6:00am
I divested myself of much of my jar "collection," lol. As I'm shuffling stuff around during construction, I'm increasingly motivated to reduce the quantity of stuff.
early morning
2-20-24, 11:13am
I'm deep cleaning my kitchen in small sections. On the section I did Monday, I tossed/recycled several small bags of candle ends that were so old the scent had faded, some containers I'd hung onto for the holidays but did not use (cottage cheese tubs, etc, useful for sending leftovers home with others), some pretzel salt that for some reason one of the resident mice decided to sample (maybe he appreciates seasoned food??), a secondary container for corralling dead batteries to recycle - one is quite enough!- and a mug with a broken handle. Doesn't sound like all that much, but it looks much emptier now!
happystuff
2-22-24, 10:45am
Still working on the "dining room" closets. So far has gotten rid of child's sports crates (yay!), old dried-up plaster/putty/etc, and broken tools. Have most things organized and will start testing the "power" tools to see if they actually still work. Also putting duplicate tools/items in the yard sale or donation piles. Lots left to do, but so happy with what has been culled to garbage and/or donation/yard sale piles!
Well I am trying to declutter myself electronically and put a comment in a thread here about being removed from Simple Living Forum but today I can still log in. I already got off Twitter/X.
iris lilies
2-22-24, 12:37pm
Well I am trying to declutter myself electronically and put a comment in a thread here about being removed from Simple Living Forum but today I can still log in. I already got off Twitter/X.
dont go! Make the SL forums your core social media.
Twitter/x is dumb.
dont go! Make the SL forums your core social media.
Twitter/x is dumb.
If you go I will miss your candidate reports--they are so helpful!
Decluttered four forks and a sweater that I had to keep pulling down every time I stood up and would ride up when I sat down.
Well I am trying to declutter myself electronically and put a comment in a thread here about being removed from Simple Living Forum but today I can still log in. I already got off Twitter/X.
Oh, no!!
rosarugosa
2-24-24, 5:39am
I would never consider SLF electronic clutter any more than I would consider my real life friends and family to be clutter. It's my online community!
I guess it is like the Hotel California. I tried to check out but I am still here.
I guess it is like the Hotel California. I tried to check out but I am still here.
I'm sorry, did you send me a message? I noticed another post where you mentioned making some sort of request on a random thread but I must have missed it, are you asking that your account be disabled in order to prevent yourself from participating?
I'm sorry, did you send me a message? I noticed another post where you mentioned making some sort of request on a random thread but I must have missed it, are you asking that your account be disabled?
Yes please.
Yes please.
Done. Be advised that this action cannot be reversed so if you decide to come back you'll have to create a new account.
Oh, no!!
Oh, yes! Happy day!
Strongly thinking about decluttering some holiday/seasonal decor. That sort of stuff has always been my weakness but I'm thinking of going for just "touches" of seasonal decor. What I'd love to declutter is the H, M, and E wooden letters that have been up on our kitchen wall for several years when I decided I really needed to do that where you put a small wreath as the O. Tired of it but oldest son really wants me to keep it up there. He calls it our "white family" decor and makes fun of it but every time I say I'm taking it down, he asks me not to. Haha!!
happystuff
2-26-24, 1:14pm
Strongly thinking about decluttering some holiday/seasonal decor. That sort of stuff has always been my weakness but I'm thinking of going for just "touches" of seasonal decor. What I'd love to declutter is the H, M, and E wooden letters that have been up on our kitchen wall for several years when I decided I really needed to do that where you put a small wreath as the O. Tired of it but oldest son really wants me to keep it up there. He calls it our "white family" decor and makes fun of it but every time I say I'm taking it down, he asks me not to. Haha!!
Don't know how old your son is, but if he is still living with you, put it up in HIS room! If he isn't, give it to him to put up in his own house. ;)
Done. Be advised that this action cannot be reversed so if you decide to come back you'll have to create a new account.
Definitely glad our favorite mask denier has left. That kind of cray-cray isn’t something we need.
rosarugosa
2-26-24, 2:59pm
I have mixed feelings. I liked interacting with Jeppy for the most part, but I think she has driven a few people away. I'm always sorry to see people go.
On a similar note, does anyone know if Bobby is OK?
On a similar note, does anyone know if Bobby is OK?
Bobby's fine, it appears that our hosting provider blocked his computer's IP address for unknown reasons several months ago and then blocked his phone a month or so later. He's been keeping me up-to-date on all things Bobby related on Facebook Messenger while he waits for his dynamic IP address to change on one device or another.
Don't know how old your son is, but if he is still living with you, put it up in HIS room! If he isn't, give it to him to put up in his own house. ;)
He just turn 23. I ended up taking it down when I got home and absolutely hated the results. :~) I guess I had it up so long that I didn't like the empty space. I tried putting the wreath up by itself but it just didn't look right. Ended up pitting it back up. Lesson learned.
I did end up decluttering a piece of decor though. It was wooden squares that spelled out LOVE on one side and LUCK on the other. Always had a hard time keeping them upright and it was farmhouse style which really isn't my style.
rosarugosa
2-27-24, 6:28am
Bobby's fine, it appears that our hosting provider blocked his computer's IP address for unknown reasons several months ago and then blocked his phone a month or so later. He's been keeping me up-to-date on all things Bobby related on Facebook Messenger while he waits for his dynamic IP address to change on one device or another.
Thanks for the update, Alan.
happystuff
2-27-24, 10:14am
He just turn 23. I ended up taking it down when I got home and absolutely hated the results. :~) I guess I had it up so long that I didn't like the empty space. I tried putting the wreath up by itself but it just didn't look right. Ended up pitting it back up. Lesson learned.
I did end up decluttering a piece of decor though. It was wooden squares that spelled out LOVE on one side and LUCK on the other. Always had a hard time keeping them upright and it was farmhouse style which really isn't my style.
I think it's cute that you missed it when you took it down! I get removing something and having an empty space. When our clock in the kitchen finally gave out, I had to put SOMETHING up, so put up a cute little picture that fit perfectly - like it was supposed to be there all the time. LOL
I think it's cute that you missed it when you took it down! I get removing something and having an empty space. When our clock in the kitchen finally gave out, I had to put SOMETHING up, so put up a cute little picture that fit perfectly - like it was supposed to be there all the time. LOL
What's interesting is for years, all that was in that space was a wreath. The HOME things took up more space than a lone wreath so putting another wreath up there by itself just looked weird. My actions came at a price though. The wreath ended up falling and scared one of my cats. That cat went running which freaked out the other cat. With both cats freaked out, they started hissing and fighting with each other. That led to having to separate them for the rest of the night and maybe longer because our one cat holds grudges and will be mad at the other for days or weeks at a time.
I took 15 items to Goodwill today. Total for month: 44.
Yahoo! EJ, I need to take things to somewhere!
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