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badkitti on "Now admit it... your spices."

badkitti — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:45:12 +0000

I do love the system here - first long term non rented house and I'm signing up!

http://www.custommagneticspicerack.com/

I'd forgotten it was delicious-ed !

HappyDogs on "Can un-cluttering be a bad thing?"

HappyDogs — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:42:17 +0000

Ever so slightly off topic, but I have been laughing at this website for a few days now. They take photos of (usually) minimalist interior-scapes, and give them snarky captions. It's called "Unhappy Hipsters". It does point out that less is not always more, and with a lot of humor. Anyway.

http://unhappyhipsters.com/

mugwump on "formal china, crystal, etc."

mugwump — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:12:50 +0000

You might want to check out the subject http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/giving-up-on-the-china-and-crystal . It has a lot of great suggestions.

Sky on "formal china, crystal, etc."

Sky — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:58:27 +0000

As I've decluttered and simplified my life I'm taking a hard look at my formal china and crystal. We seldom use it, it's a pain to wash and I'm always afraid it will get chipped or broken. It was ridiculously expensive. So, I'm wondering why have it at all? My everyday china and glasses are fine and if they get broken it isn't a big deal and everyone seems more at ease when things are casual.
Anyone gotten rid of theirs and lived to tell about it?

happymonkey on "new hoarding show"

happymonkey — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:16:07 +0000

The biggest difference between this new show and A&E's Hoarders was the time frame. Rather than the two-day blitz with a full crew of cleaners, TLC uses only the therapist and one organizer, and they work over an extended period. I think this will work better for the hoarders overall, as they are able to spend more time going through their stuff and working through their issues. They don't end up with a clean house at the end of the show, but their progress seems more real.

Gil on "new hoarding show"

Gil — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:59:14 +0000

I saw this last night and it was an eye-opening show. The layout of the TLC show was basically the same as A&E's, except there is a live narrator. Interestingly enough, TLC is also launching a new series similar to A&E's "Intervention".

Laetitia in Australia on "Hello from the child of a hoarder!"

Laetitia in Australia — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:14:45 +0000

badkitti - I'm starting to scan birthday / Christmas / anniversary / assorted cards starting with the most recent birthday (a month ago). I like the idea of keeping just one from each giver but I'm not sure I'm there yet, particularly those from my husband. :-)

bandicoot on "Now admit it... your spices."

bandicoot — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:01:35 +0000

and another google just now took me to the masala dabba!
i just bought two of them and that is everything solved.
how did i not think of this before?
sometimes, you just have to type it out.

anderpants on "iphone apps and home screen"

anderpants — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:51:25 +0000

i'm trying to figure out a good way to organize my iphone apps so it's more efficient. any ideas?

bandicoot on "Now admit it... your spices."

bandicoot — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:17:01 +0000

i desperately need a system.
i use a lot of spice.
i go through phases with different spices.

i am looking for stainless steel or copper airtight containers, about 1/3 cup capacity and i am not having any luck.
i bought some IKEA magnetic containers, but they are far from airtight.

klutzgrrl on "Electronics & AV Gadgets: Black, White, Colors?"

klutzgrrl — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:34:45 +0000

I was sorta starting to try for a white, bright look - have you noticed how strongly all-white features in minimalist interior design? Esp. since the current/old computer is a Mac. But my box of choice for the new computer is a huge black tower, the speakers are black, the TV is piano-black and the speakers are black. The Wii and Xbox (yes we have every gadget known to man) are white.

So I was curious... have you tried to go for a unified theme with your devices, or is it just whatever box it happens to come in?

I guess this is more 'decorating' than 'uncluttering' but I think that part of decluttering for most of us involves also wanting to create a visually satisfying environment.

sdbenjamin on "Newbie- We put our house on the market yesterday"

sdbenjamin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:39:17 +0000

Thanks for your reply Mid America Mom.
My main problem is that I overdo it trying to make everything perfect and then wear myself out. I have fibromyalgia and when I do too much physical work or lay awake worrying I suffer for it. I have written a list for my husband to help with, and since he controls the finances I have to do things alot of things as he decides.
I need to keep reminding myself to work to a timer, that there is no rush (at this stage) and not to try to make everything perfect.It's just not in my nature to be laid back about things!

nws2002 on "new hoarding show"

nws2002 — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:14:36 +0000

<<Can you watch it online? I cannot find it.>>

TLC doesn't have a streaming player on their website for any of their shows, at least that I've found. Some of their shows are available on the iTunes store and Amazon Video on Demand for about $1.99 each.

terriok on "new hoarding show"

terriok — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:42:01 +0000

Can you watch it online? I cannot find it.

terriok on "Clutter of Writing Things Down"

terriok — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:17:24 +0000

"Things" is an awesome organizing application for the Mac. Intuitive with a beautiful interface and reasonably priced.

Anyone know how I get a link in here?

nws2002 on "Clutter of Writing Things Down"

nws2002 — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:40:37 +0000

I use a composition book for my notes and to do lists at work. Any random scrap of paper (like post-its) are taped into the book if I want to keep them.

I start a new page for each day, and spend the last 15 minutes of my workday writing down my to do list for the next day. I make sure I write down long term projects too, that way they are carried forward from day to day. I keep about a years worth (usually 3 books) in my file cabinet at work in case I need to reference something, after that they are shredded.

Not the most technologically advanced system, but it works for me. I still keep my calendar and contacts synced between Outlook and my iPhone.

nws2002 on "Anyone else do bookcrossing?"

nws2002 — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:29:16 +0000

I love bookcrossing.com, it is so much fun to see where your books end up.

I'm a flight attendant who loves to read. I will often grab a paperback in the airport bookstore, read it overnight, and then leave it in the crew room for other employees or at a gate for passengers.

I keep a few of the bookplates and a few of the post its notes from the bookcrossing website in my bag. Easy enough to do quickly.

nws2002 on "Now admit it... your spices."

nws2002 — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:19:21 +0000

I keep mine in 2 clear plastic shoe boxes in a cabinet next to the stove. That way I can take the whole box out of the cabinet if I'm searching for a spice I use infrequently. I really need to purge through them though, considering I use at most 10 spices on a regular basis.

Hazel-that's a smart idea! I'm going to do that too, because I can never remember if I have this or that when I'm at the store.

citygirl on "new hoarding show"

citygirl — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:04:55 +0000

I don't know if this is something folks outside of the US can watch, but it looks like there is a new TLC/Discovery Channel hoarding show out there, premiering tonight:

http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/hoarding-buried-alive/

I will admit that I really like the A&E show, Hoarders -- not just for inspiration but to help me remember the struggles that others are facing. I'll be interested to see how TLC handles the issue.

Claycat on "Moving Overseas"

Claycat — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:23:53 +0000

Mrs.Mack, we need an update on your progress!

Laetitia in Australia on "How do you deal with personalized items you no longer want?"

Laetitia in Australia — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:56:08 +0000

Kimberley - Depending on the glaze, a ceramics studio may be able to apply another type of opaque glaze over the top and refire it. (I dabbled in ceramics decoration years ago.)

It may be relatively expensive (in relation to an item you are not intending to keep) but if you're concerned about identity theft you may consider it to be worth it. Of course, anyone buying it who doesn't know you may think it's the artist's name and the date they created the piece (unless the date says DOB).

jsights - Are you able to contact the artist? Maybe you could go to her and explain that as the pieces were given to you by an ex, you feel uncomfortable about displaying them in your home - you want them to go to someone who will appreciate them for their obvious beauty / artistic value but you don't know how to deal with the piece that has the inscription - would they be able to cover the inscription?

terriok on "Now admit it... your spices."

terriok — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:36:23 +0000

Smart idea!

Mid America Mom on "Newbie- We put our house on the market yesterday"

Mid America Mom — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:03:10 +0000

Welcome to the forum sdbenjamin! Wish you well on the sale and move.

In the last 5 years we have sold 2 homes and in all have lived in 5 different places.

Suggestions:
You stated you have a large house.

1. Hopefully you do not have to worry about this point. Contact everyone that is storing things in your space (like an adult child that that has not taken that old box of trophies, an inlaw storing their xyz in your garage). Inform them that you will be moving and they have to pick up their item(s) by x date. If they fail to do that the items will be (whatever you decide) given away, put to trash, donated to charity. Do not feel guilty about it. Their things are not your responsibility and should not be your clutter in the new home.

2. If you have a room in the home (not a basement or garage) that someone cannot walk into or understand from the clutter or furnishings what it is supposed to be, make it a priority. Clean and declutter so the room has a definition so when a buyer walks in they are like OH this is a x .

3. If you have not done so already - write down EVERYTHING you need to do to declutter and repair.

Take a good amount of time to empty your head of what you recall. Then walk away - ask others in the home what you missed or should add- and add more. If you need the help of someone besides yourself to accomplish the item list that. Like an appliance repair person, a significant other, the kids, etc. You may want to spend some money on hiring people to get it done quickly. The housing market where I live is HOT and I would hire as much help as I could in that situation.

Next group those items by importance. I would have one that is the MUST GET DONE NOW, Do Next, and the last one would be WISH TO.

Personally I would put things that impact first impressions on the MUST list. So the main facade and yard of the home and guest entry space. Things such as Broken screen on a front door. Porch light fixture that is full of dust and needs a lightbulb. Declutter the hall table from extra keys etc. Cleaning a door sidelight or transom. Also those rooms that mean so much to buyers, kitchen and baths, should be on this list. Like Repair crack in kitchen tile, replace the knobs in the bath, declutter the bath medicine cabinet. The Do Next list I would move to other visible things. Those that you see out in the open (not hiding under a bed or in the closet or taking space in the garage). Examples- Washing down the walls of a kids bedroom, hanging a needed window treatment, declutter built in bookshelves in the den. The Wish to list would move to the closets, under bed, garage, basements... get a large trash can for trash, boxes for donations/give away, and your boxes of choice for keeping like items (these you label once filled to satisfaction - on the top and two sides). *So the the first two lists would get your home to show well and the last is to help you declutter to move.

4. Set time aside to accomplish an item.

5. As you complete a can full of trash/ box of donations/ keep container- place it in the appropriate place right away. Trash- put it out or to the place where you put it before collection. Stick the donation box in the car to drop off. Place the keep containers in a clean and out of the way place just for this purpose.

6. Set up a daily cleaning schedule that does not overwhelm you. Concentrate on having a clean kitchen, bath, and entry area.

Hope this helps! Good luck

Mid America Mom

Mid America Mom on "Now admit it... your spices."

Mid America Mom — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:24:51 +0000

Another Deb LOL.
Hazel- that is smart.

hazel on "Now admit it... your spices."

hazel — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:34:25 +0000

I lined up all my spices on the counter and took a photo with my iPhone. Now I can refer to my pic and not accidentally buy duplicates.

klutzgrrl on "Can un-cluttering be a bad thing?"

klutzgrrl — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:05:51 +0000

oh thats a shame, sdbenjamin - a pity to lose out on something so useful! It's a good idea to make a place for those sorts of things.

On the flipside, I've wasted many vouchers and gift cards which have been lurking in the bottom of my intray or handbag. (=pocketbook. Incidentally, why do Americans call a handbag a pocketbook, since most are far too large to fit in your pocket and don't resemble books at all?)

I find I go through phases of things - for a while I'll do nothing but write, and then for a while I'll be music obsessed, or then I'll be gaming obsessed, and it goes in cycles. So I have to be careful that while I'm focussed on one thing, I don't declutter too much in other areas then regret it, because I know I'll cycle back to it eventually.

Another Deb on "Now admit it... your spices."

Another Deb — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:58:50 +0000

Marge Simpson at a church bazaar display: "Ohhh, look! A spice rack! Eight jars, some must be duplicates!"

indigo75 on "Hiring a professional organizer"

indigo75 — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:56:29 +0000

We hired a PO as a kick start to our uncluttering. The fee for the service we chose was between $25 & $30 per hour. For me, it's worth it. I am guaranteed that once per week, for two to four hours, SOMETHING will get done. I won't be interrupted, and my husband voluntarily helps.

It helps that a PO is not a friend or family member. He/She won't comment on the condition of the house, or lack of progress. Decisions to eliminate an item won't be met with "Oh, you should keep that..." or "The kids will want that one day."

The biggest perk of having a PO work with us is having at least one person in the house who is not overwhelmed buy the task ahead. Our PO always has a smile, enthusiasm, and a PLAN.

sdbenjamin on "Can un-cluttering be a bad thing?"

sdbenjamin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:36:14 +0000

I was unable to claim a $100 giftcard prize due to decluttering my receipt basket. When I won the prize and could not produce the receipt they disqualified me!
On the other hand I find when I declutter in other areas like toys,wardrobe etc I do seem to come into some money or win a prize soon after- which is good and bad çause it seems decluttering can attract more clutter into your life! It's an neverending cycle...

sdbenjamin on "Newbie- We put our house on the market yesterday"

sdbenjamin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:09:10 +0000

Hi,
I have been reading the unclutterer newsletter for over a month now-it's great!
I love systems and uncluttering etc and am always looking for new tips, and even though I have been a homemaker for 18 years i am still learning!
ATM I am on the threshold of a huge challenge and I thought I could jump on these forums. We put our house on the market yesterday and now will have to go through viewings and open houses-ugh. We cannot buy our next home until we sell this one because our deposit is tied up in this house, we may even have to rent for a few months before we buy our new house- so that will be 2 moves!
I am facing a period of exhaustion as I go into overdrive decluttering, repairing and keeping this house (it is a quite large house) in tiptop condition for viewings so that we get the best price.
Love to hear your feedback!

Zora on "Now admit it... your spices."

Zora — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:18:48 +0000

All my spices are neatly labeled and stored on two turntables in a cupboard a couple of steps away from the stove and its heat.

But they haven't been edited in years. It's hard to remember which I've replaced and which I haven't. Being an adventurous cook, and a cookbook editor, I have lots of spices. Items like za'atar and anatto and my current fave, amchoor (sour mango powder).

Do you spice editors out there put a date label on each jar when you fill it?

rachel_413 on "Capturing Meeting Notes."

rachel_413 — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:04:54 +0000

What I do for important notes, is I scan them and put them in the computer folder for that particular project, usually in a subfolder called Basis. Although scanning your notes is an extra work step, it gets rid of paper files, and it's important to have records for other people who work on the project, or may have to follow your trail long after you've moved on to other projects or companies.

badkitti on "Now admit it... your spices."

badkitti — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:12:22 +0000

I bought a proper old fashioned spice rack a few years ago - here's how it used to look in my old house:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/badkitti/447351263/

Now its got less on it - as I work out what recipes I reuse I don't renew the spices that are hardly ever needed.

terriok on "Now admit it... your spices."

terriok — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:55:29 +0000

I use the Dewey Decimal system to categorize my spices! HA! ;o)

irishbell on "Now admit it... your spices."

irishbell — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:21:54 +0000

My spices have always been on turntables in a cupboard. If I have too much to fit on those, I look through and discard anything that is expired or I don't like. It's not a problem for me, but I'm not a real exotic cook, either.