Day 31 - Makeup

Hello everyone! Today I simply tossed some old makeup in the trash. Not very exciting, I know. But then again every little bit counts. Yes, it all adds up and is that much more out of the house. To me, that IS exciting! As Flylady says "Baby steps". 

Today marks the last day of one entire month of my decluttering. Only eleven months to go!

Day 30 - Umbrella

It's a rainy day here in Southern California, which reminded me that I have an extra umbrella that I don't use and don't like. 

You know where it's going, don'tcha? Yep... the donation box!

Day 29 - Coffee Mug

Happy Saturday, all! Today I am putting a Christmas coffee mug into the donation box. It's very cute, but it is a matchless loner in my kitchen, and I have tons of coffee cups. This one is cute and has hung around a few years. Now it is time to say good bye. 

Good bye, cute little snowman mug.

Day 28 - The Flame is Gone

I have a burning desire to get rid of all these "wick"ed, burnt out, used up candles.

All burnt out

They are out of here... out like a light! :)

Day 27 - Staples

You can't get rid of your staples because... well... they are your staples. Pun intended. :) But I have a mini stapler and staple remover that I have no use for.

So they are OUTTA here!

Day 26 - Shh! Secret

I chose to discard some unmentionables today. Most charities don't accept previously owned undergarments, and quite understandably. So these hit the trash bin.

Shh...! Don't tell anyone. 

Day 25 - Christmas Tins

Christmas was one month ago. Yes, it is now part of days long gone. I have two Christmas tins that I will not use again so they are going to the donation box. Maybe some Santa will reuse them next year.

The donation box is getting pretty full. When it is completely full I will schedule a Salvation Army truck for pick up.

Day 24 - Glasses

Do you or someone in your family wear glasses? When you get a new prescription, what do you do with the old pair? I had a few perfectly good pairs that I didn't know what to do with because I didn't want to throw them in the trash, especially after paying so much for them. 

I discovered that used eyeglasses can be dropped off at Lions Club collection boxes in communities all over the US. These collection boxes are located in such places as libraries, optometrist offices, schools, and other public locations. In addition, Lions Club has collaborated with Walmart to collect used eyewear from the public at stores across the country. This includes both Walmart and Sam's Club. The glasses are not simply recycled and resold. It is my understanding that they are given to the poor and sent to third world countries so that those less fortunate can see. By donating your glasses, you are not just decluttering your home, you are actually helping others. What a blessing!


I found a local optometrist that has one of these collection boxes and today I dropped off four pairs of prescription glasses and three pairs of sunglasses. Yes, they accept sunglasses, too!


See, you can help!


For more information:
http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/our-work/sight-programs/eyeglass-recycling/how-you-can-help.php

The journey of a pair of eyeglasses:
http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/our-work/sight-programs/eyeglass-recycling/the-journey-of-a-pair-of-eyeglasses.php

Day 23 - Paper Clutter

The end of January is just around the corner and it's time for W2s, and it will soon be time to do those dreaded taxes. This means the paperwork will need to be in order. Well, my file cabinet is pretty crammed so I weeded out the oldest paid bills and shredded them. 

Crammed file cabinet

Shredded and ready to go!

You will be seeing more of this. Paper clutter is my worst enemy. Arggg!!!

Day 22 - Toiletries

Okay... So today I went through my bathroom cabinet and gathered a few random toiletries that are old, nearly gone, and/or almost never used. They really need to be thrown in the trash. 

Old toiletries

So to the trash they go!

Day 21 - Basket Case

Today I added a basket to the donation box. This was a gift full of cookies a few years ago. I always thought I would someday refill it with goodies and pass it on to a friend or loved one. After several years of not following through with that plan, I guess it's time to let go of the whole idea and say goodbye to the little basket.

Goodbye, basket!

Day 20 - Shelf Liner

When I bought shelf liner for my kitchen cabinets about seven years ago, I got far too many rolls. Of course, I kept them "just in case". 

Extra shelf liner

I have decided they are residing in my home without paying rent. Time for an eviction. These guys are going to find a new home via the donation box. So long. Farewell. It's time to say good-bye!

Day 19 - Shorts

I opened my dresser drawer and for the thousandth time these pairs of shorts stared up at me and seemed to ask "Don't you ever want to wear us?" 

I never wear them anymore.

Nope! Not really. I don't think I will wear them again, so I tossed them into the donation box with the hopes that they will find a nice new home where they will be loved.

Day 18 - Dead Batteries

Did you know that in California it is actually illegal to throw batteries in the trash? I'm talking about common everyday batteries that are used in toys, flashlights, cameras, and TV remote controls. In February 2006 California became the first state in the US to make it illegal to toss household batteries into the garbage. I knew it wasn't a good idea to let these little buggers go to the landfill and leak their toxic chemicals into the groundwater, but I didn't know it was the law. 

Even so, for some time I had been collecting our used batteries to eventually take them to the local "household hazardous waste collection event" the city holds once every few months. After a little research I found out that our local library has a battery recycle drop off center. So guess what I did today on my way home from work? Yep! Stopped by the library and dropped off my bag full of batteries. They are out of here! ...Until next time.

It is illegal to throw away batteries in many states. I encourage doing a google search and see what the law is in your state.

Day 17 - About Time

It's about time to get rid of this apple clock that doesn't work. I used to love seeing it on the wall in my kitchen and I hated to part with it. But if it doesn't work... why keep it???? 

Time to say bye-bye!

Out it goes... never to be seen again.

Day 16 - Jewelry

I think we all have various pieces of outdated costume jewelry in our jewelry boxes that we no longer wear. I gathered a few things that have seen their day and decided it was time for them to find a home elsewhere. I put them in a snack size zip bag and put them in the donation box.

Costume jewelry I don't wear

Neatly packed in zip bag

More stuff tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Day 15 - Music CDs

As far as my CD collection goes, I have decided to keep only the music that I absolutely love! The music I only like "so-so", can so, so GO! 

Five CDs I don't like enough to keep

I'm starting off by letting go of five CDs I like, but not enough to keep. I haven't had the desire to listen to any of them in at least five years.... and they are definitely not in the category of favorites. So they are ousted to the donation box today. Adios, old music!

Day 14 - Sandals

Hello everyone! 
Now I lo-oove these sandals and I hate to release them, but there is no reason to keep hanging on to them when they hurt my feet. I hope someone else can use them. They are going into the donation box tonight. 

Keep walkin'!

We have a three day weekend. WooHoo!

Day 13 - Pillow Talk

Such a pretty red and oh-so-soft flannel. My favorite pillow cases are going to the trash today. As you can see in the picture, they are quite worn. I definitely got my money's worth for these.

See the holes?

A very sad good-bye to some very dear friends. *Sniff*

Day 12 - Plastic Bottles

I am recycling again. Today it's plastic bottles. It is said that plastic water bottles should not be reused, but if they are washed properly with hot soapy water it is okay to reuse them a few times. So a few times it is... and then to the recycle bin!

On their way to the recycle bin...

For more information on reusing plastic bottles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuse_of_water_bottles

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/plasticbottles.asp

Day 11 - Recycle This Magazine

Why are magazines so hard to let go of? They might have some interesting or useful articles I haven't read yet... or want to refer to again. Do you think that way, too? Well, letting go of them is exactly what I'm doing today. I know I will never in my lifetime have time to read it all. So to the curb!

Gotta love recycling! Recycle, recycle, recycle...

Day 10 - T-Shirts

Happy Monday! Pretty chilly today. 
Well, today I'm getting rid of a stack of t-shirts. 

Into the donation box they go... Bub-bye, t-shirts!!!

Day 9 - Cards and Stationery

Over the years I have collected cards and stationery of all kinds; birthday cards, Christmas cards, postcards, get well, thinking of you, and blank cards for any occasion. I love to write letters and little notes to friends and family. I love receiving them, too! However, does anyone correspond that way anymore? It's much easier to dash off a quick email. So I went through my stash of cards and weeded out the ones I probably won't ever use and I came up with two boxes full to put into my donation box today.

Various cards

Two boxes full of random cards

Oh, It's a wonderful feeling to be freeing up space. I hate clutter. I hate it! Only 356 days and 356 items to go!!!

Day 8 - Can Opener

Today is quick and easy. I have two manual can openers. I don't use one of them because it doesn't work well, which is the reason I bought the second one in the first place. So out with the old and keeping the new(er) one.

Out with the old

Ahh... A little more room in my utensil drawer. I'm liking that!

  

Day 7 - Vitamins and Medications

TGIF everyone! Well, today it was time for me to clean out the medicine cabinet and get rid of unused and expired vitamins and medications. These are not to be simply thrown in the trash as is; and the Food and Drug Administration does not recommend flushing them down the toilet. 

From my medicine cabinet

Proper disposal helps to protect the environment by keeping unwanted substances out of the groundwater. Also, for the safety of children and pets it is best to follow the guidelines set out by the FDA in February 2007. 


Here are the steps: 
1. Remove the vitamins or drugs from containers.
2. Crush drugs; dissolve vitamins in warm or hot water (about 10 to 15 minutes).
3. Put used coffee grounds, kitty litter, or sawdust in a zip bag or a container with a lid. 
4. Add the crushed/dissolved pills and seal tightly.
5. The bag or container may then be thrown out with the household trash.


Be sure to remove or scratch out pertinent information from prescription drug labels to protect your identity and privacy.


I followed these steps and got rid of a number of bottles, and boxes of blister packs. It was not fun opening all those blister packs, but Mr. Scissors came to the rescue.


Be aware that there are a handful of powerful drugs that actually carry instructions for flushing. For safety reasons, follow those instructions.


Happy decluttering and have a great weekend!

For more information:

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/UnderstandingOver-the-CounterMedicines/ucm107163.pdf

Day 6 - Losing My Marbles

Today I let loose of a big zip bag filled with old marbles that I've had for over 15 years. At one time we had enough to fill an entire gallon size jar. The only reason I can think of why I kept them for so long is because of the memories I have of the kids liking them and playing with them. I'm so sentimental. Or maybe just mental. Ha!

But do I need these? Not really. So you guessed it! Into the donation box they go!

Day 5 - Jeans

The item I choose to throw out today is a pair of jeans that no longer fit and I no longer love... so it's time to put them into the donation box.

So long, jeans!

Day 4 - Polished Off

Today I'm clearing some things out of the cabinet in the boudoir. Old, gunky nail polish. It's almost hard to part with some of the pretty colors, but if they can't do the job, then there's no point in letting them take up precious space.

Old and gunky!

So out they go! Say hello to the trash can!
Hmm... What shall I discard tomorrow?

Day 3 - Hangers

One of the main reasons we want to keep our homes clutter-free is because excess stuff can suck energy from us, frustrate and depress us. We are cheated from the ease of everyday living by things in the way. No longer are tasks simple. Surfaces are hard to keep clean when they first need to be cleared of so many do-dads. Drawers become difficult to open when they are crammed full with too much. And one of my greatest pet peeves... tangled hangers! Do you ever struggle with hangers for several minutes? When in a rush? If only my closet had fewer articles of clothing and only one or two types of hangers. Things would be so much easier, now wouldn't they? This brings me to today's purge: odd hangers.

Tangled Hangers

These are functional, and since I don't want to help fill the landfills, into the donation box these bad boys go. No more hanging around here!

Day 2 - "Hole-y" Sunday

Hole-y socks, Batman! A bunch of old socks with holes in them is heading to the trash can today. I'm not even sure why I was keeping them, but it's time to say "adios"!

I think I added a sock or two after this photo was taken.

Day 2 down, 363 days left to go... WooHoo!

Day 1 - Happy New Year

It's New Year's Day - January 1, 2011 - and the 122nd Tournament of Roses Parade is on TV. Their theme this year is "Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories". What a wonderful way to think of the upcoming 365 days. I hope this day finds everyone safe and warm. I've got my cup of hot tea and will be making some home made soup later.


Well, today is the first day of my daily purge. I have a stack of phone books that's going into the recycle bin. Remember the days when we only had one phone book per household?

Out, out, you extra phone books! I don't need you. You're just taking up space. Bye bye!


Day 1 - check. Looking forward to ousting something on day two!