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Originally posted by ng-la:
Then with a lot of it, I put them in small groups and put them each in a shoebox sized box. So, for example, I have a box with baking stuff- baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, corn syrup, molasses, etc. So I pull down the box, and use what I need. I'm hoping this will elimanate things getting lost behind other things.

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edited because i can't spell.

One of her main points is that being organized means different things for each person. What quick fix is being promoted in an article might not be the right idea for me. And you have to face why you’ve got so much clutter before you can control it. And then she goes room by room on how to tackle it, has a “no brainer toss list” and a timeline on how long it will probably take.

http://www.network54.com/Realm/Squalor_Survivors/pictures/entryarea.html

And this:
http://theplan.com/clutter1/

I mean, really.

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Originally posted by Bureinato:
[B]I’ve been reading Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern and it’s a great book.

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I did the exact same thing; I just got that book! It's great.

Several of the points in the book were really helpful to me.

For instance, one of the number one causes of clutter is that things have no place. That one I'd already figured out, but I'm working on it. I put the rice bowls in the cupboard after all, and they're so much better there; now I can look at and admire them every day.

Another really good tip in the book, as Bureinato mentioned, is that she says that instead of trying to discipline yourself to someone else's system, you should try to figure out how you actually work -- i.e. if you habitually drop your jacket and bag by the front door, just hang some hooks near the door so you can keep it neat.

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Originally posted by meowka:
Ok. None of you can ever say your house is messy again, ok?

http://www.network54.com/Realm/Squalor_Survivors/pictures/entryarea.html

And this:
http://theplan.com/clutter1/

I mean, really.

[This message has been edited by meowka (edited 01-17-2004).]

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Oh. My. Dear.
Ok, the link posted last week is NOTHING compared to this. I was seriously nauseous looking at those pix. What do you do at that point, cover yourself up from head to toe in protective gear and step in with a dumpster and a snow-shovel?
That is truly sad. And disgusting.

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Originally posted by quarkiegirl:
as i was tidying up, i discovered that i own "the complete idiot's guide to organizing your life." ...... i bought it and then lost it in the clutter!

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quote:

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Originally posted by meowka:

And this:
http://theplan.com/clutter1/

I mean, really.

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Did you look at the extra pics of the kitchen/bathroom???? They made me gag.

It was cleaner once - no, who am I kidding? It was only semi-clean when it was empty.
Everytime I tackle it I find all sorts of crap that needs to be sold in a garage sale.. I think I need to actually START a garage sale box.

Meanwhile - Hubby had decided this weekend to put up this shelving unit thing we bought. He wanted it for his clothes. I put the ki-bash on that until he actually goes THRU his clothes to throw stuff out.
He complains that there is no room in our room for his clothes -but he has proceeded to take over one entire spare bedroom, plus a few chairs in the basement & a heap in his bathroom - not to mention any clothes that might be IN the laundry room at the time. Plus - he wants to put the shelf up in the basement/family room - I do NOT want his clothes to be stored in the place where we entertain! We ARE grownups.... And I know there are bags of tshirts that he doesn't wear.

And I found some compact photo albums at the office supply store while I was at lunch. 72 photos fit in a 7 X 9 book which fits into a pocket that keeps dust out.

When I get home I'm dragging out my big old fashioned photo albums and picking them clean, and then they are going into the yard sale box.

So Bachelor #1 just called to confirm for date #3, only whereas he'd previously mentioned going to the movie theater near his apartment, now he wants to go to one near mine. And pick me up.

Of course I'd counted on him not seeing my apartment tonight, and I've been going out and doing other things rather than finish cleaning around here. He swears it can't be messier than his apartment, which had 8 people in it all last weekend for a frisbee tournament (and which he's had all week to clean, but it sounds like he's been on the same plan I have) -- but trust me, bathtub ring, kitchen grunge, and piles of stuff sorted to take to the thrift store are pretty darn messy.

I may have to convince him to go to the late movie just so I can get this place vaguely presentable.

1. Cleaning is energy-consuming. I'll do one room, like the kitchen, or the bedroom, and then I won't have any energy left over for the rest of the place.

2. We have more stuff than places to put said stuff. I really want to buy things like more bookshelves/shelving/storage, but funds are tight and it's not an option. When I go to my friends houses, I keep wondering, "Where are their scattered bills, kitschy knickknacks from friends, overflowing books, piles of magazines and cat toys?" Is there a secret, or do we just have more stuff than most people?

3. Cleaning is BORING. I was a messy kid, no matter how many fights I had with my parents over it, and now I'm a messy adult. How come guys get to have messy bachelor pads and it's okay?

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Originally posted by jescat:
2. We have more stuff than places to put said stuff. I really want to buy things like more bookshelves/shelving/storage, but funds are tight and it's not an option. When I go to my friends houses, I keep wondering, "Where are their scattered bills, kitschy knickknacks from friends, overflowing books, piles of magazines and cat toys?" Is there a secret, or do we just have more stuff than most people?

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Originally posted by chitowngal:
I've always wondered this as well!!!

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I always thought it was because they had a "real" basement (one that had a door you could shut & walk away from)...

There is such a thing as a Gift Wrap Organizer.

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Ok. None of you can ever say your house is messy again, ok?
http://www.network54.com/Realm/Squalor_Survivors/pictures/entryarea.html

And this:
http://theplan.com/clutter1/

I mean, really.

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Those first pictures made me physically ill. I am a slob, and I have always been a slob, but I am not that bad. I have dishes in the kitchen that need to be washed, but my kitchen does not stink. I have books stacked up in the spare bedroom against the wall, b/c we still have to bring the bookcase up to the apt from my car, but the room does not stink. Ooohhhh, that was nasty!

I am a slob in the sense that if I take something out/use it/play with it/look at it, I (nor my Stupendous J) will return it to its home -"Are you too good for your home!?" tee hee

But seriously, I like things to be organized, and it irritates the piss out of me when things are ugly and/or smelly. I'm just too lazy to fix them.

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Originally posted by jescat:
I'm so traumatized! My bf's brother came over to help us with a computer problem and we were joking about what a mess our place was, and he says, "Yeah, every time I come home from here, Mom asks, 'So was their place an atrocious mess?'" My bf started laughing and I was like, "Oh my god, I'm so embarrassed!" Bf actually asked, "Why would you be embarrassed?" and his brother reiterated, "Well, she didn't say 'atrocious' mess, she was just joking around." I expect comments about my slovenliness from my mother, but my bf's mother is the sweetest thing on earth and never says a word. So I'm probably going to spend most of tomorrow cleaning. I know it won't last though because of these things:

1. Cleaning is energy-consuming. I'll do one room, like the kitchen, or the bedroom, and then I won't have any energy left over for the rest of the place.

2. We have more stuff than places to put said stuff. I really want to buy things like more bookshelves/shelving/storage, but funds are tight and it's not an option. When I go to my friends houses, I keep wondering, "Where are their scattered bills, kitschy knickknacks from friends, overflowing books, piles of magazines and cat toys?" Is there a secret, or do we just have more stuff than most people?

3. Cleaning is BORING. I was a messy kid, no matter how many fights I had with my parents over it, and now I'm a messy adult. How come guys get to have messy bachelor pads and it's okay?

As I said, tomorrow is going to be cleaning day, but in the long term, I think a housekeeper is in order once the cash flow is back. A friend of mine has one for $33 twice a month. That works. As she put it, "I don't mind doing dishes, or laundry, but I don't dust or wash floors or windows." As a slob queen, I'd love to give up my crown, but I fear it's too late.

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Originally posted by chitowngal:
Super T now holds the title of Slob Queen. I've been out of town for a week and the clean laundry that was there when I left is still there, the hang dry clothes are still hanging, the garbage hasn't been taken out, random stuff is just sitting about and the refrigerator is COMPLETELY bare!!!! Oh well...

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Not only do I have clothing, papers, & shoes dropped everywhere including the kitchen (???) my car is much of the same. I have to say though reading this board made me feel not so alone in my lazy/slovenly tendencies.

As for Cleaning.

Downstairs (Kitchen, Dining Room, Office, Living Room)I go with the big clean, once weekly method. I won't let myself watch the Saturday "Trading Spaces"/"While You Were Out" until the downstairs is picked up and there is laundry in the washer. It seems to be the only way I can keep things caught up. Of course if I have some one come to the door in the middle of the week I still don't let them in because by Sunday night the mess has started to accumulate again. I do clean the kitchen nightly, I hate to cook in a messy kitchen.

Upstairs: (Bathroom & Guest Bedrooms) get cleaned when there is company coming (about once a month). Our bedroom gets clean when ever I get around to it which isn't very often.

Of course in my husbands defence he "cleans". His version involves stacking things in neat piles and putting them in drawers though so while a appriciate (sp?) his help I still end up going back through the rooms he has cleaned.

I have tried the list method (divide the chores/night) it never seems to work for me because something comes up can I fall behind and never get caught up agaim. Oh well slobs of the world unite.

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Originally posted by galaxy_girl:
Of course in my husbands defence he "cleans". His version involves stacking things in neat piles and putting them in drawers

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My brother does that too, makes and hides piles, and then pretends to be the biggest neat freak!
Yeah, so it looks good, but how can you ever FIND anything???