Getting My Shit Together Monday: The resurrection

It has been an age since I've been faithful to the old Getting My Shit Together Monday feature and it has shown. My pantry was piled with plastic Jewel bags, our arts and crafts tub was emptied out in various corners of the apartment and the bathroom was an explosion of hotel shampoos and exfoliants.

No more, my friends. Mama says no more.

Lil E was sick all weekend (roseola, ick) -- not the kind of sick where he needs to affix himself to my lap and then affix the paci to his mouth and stay in that position all day (that was Thursday and Friday) but the kind where every single phrase is whined, pouted or yelled mostly because his little feverish brain and irritable emotions cannot process kindness, politeness or anything less than three sippy cups containing three different drinks next to him AT ALL TIMES -- we decided to let the kid be and do what we needed to do around the house.
                     

                                    

                                   Not my pantry. But a grrrl can dream.

First, we cleaned up the floor of the pantry. I went through the giant tub of gift bags (anyone need a wedding-themed gift bag? There are currently 17 in our recycling bin for the taking), got rid of enough plastic bags to choke out fourteen species of animals worldwide, began a box full of garage sale items (cords, cables, timers, baking crap no one in the world needs, incense burners, cheap ass baby bottles, all also for the taking) and disposed, disposed, disposed of clutter.

Then I tacked up six heavy-duty adhesive hooks to the wall of the pantry and hung the now-reduced gift bag of gift bags, plastic bags, baskets and canvas totes up off of the floor but within reach.

Bruce handled tool clean-out even though most of the tools are mine (awwww yeah, mama loves her some power tools) and tucked them all tidily back into the corner.

On to the bathroom. I already have six baskets and bins on shelves, but each of them were overflowing with old cough syrup and long-banned samples of Seldane allergy miracle tablets. I cleaned out each one, threw out tons of old meds and supplements we will never, ever take (on a regular basis) and chucked all the hotel samples (except the W's Bliss products pilfered during the BlogHer downtown retreat/mania that I am actually excited to use when we go to Colorado Springs this week). Next, I organized each bin, labeled them (oh, it is a good day when I get out that label maker) and put the ones I need within easier reach (meds at my level, the bezillion ace bandages at Bruce's level). I even got diligent in the medicine cabinet and the gross cabinet underneath the sink that is home to nail polish and Costconormous boxes of Tampax.

Bruce did dishes, fetched paper towels and anti-bacterial wipes, entertained the boy in between Bob the Builder and Saddle Club episodes and, confirming my undying love for him, brought up big loads of freshly washed and dried bath towels, dish towels and clothes.

We worked hard. We filled up three big garbage bags full of stuff we will never miss. We started one box full of stuff we think we can make a few bucks from. We decided on a garage sale date in three weeks and we made a plan for how to immediately get rid of all the unsold items. We packed up big four plastic tubs of household items that are more house-friendly than apartment-appropriate and stored them in the basement where they will have to wait for us to save up a down payment.

We are exhausted. But we feel so good. And the best part is, the rooms we cleaned already look shinier and more welcoming. And that is motivation enough to clean out the bookshelf next to my desk and a big dresser full of linens in our dining room today.

Dear Getting My Shit Together Monday,
Mama's back.

When you get that organizational itch, which rooms do you hit first? And please, do share your tips, not just cleaning out the clutter, but keeping it far, far away.

Comments

[2Jmama]

oohhhh we had the same thoughts this weekend! My burst started during ALL of the freaking rain last week. I brought out every single tub of toys we own and dumped (Y-E-S DUMPED) them in the basement. The boys went gonzo over all of the "new" toys and mamma sorted like a champ. 4 tubs for Rummage, 3 tubs for "if I'm ever an auntie" and a clean basement. Feel the power of a Sharpie!! Plus I labled ALL of my holiday bins! Our rummage sale will be in the Spring...not as ambitous at you!! :)

[Sarah]

I ALWAYS start in Ariel's room--she is a super-packrat, and besides, it's so much easier to throw out someone else's shit! Recently, however, I had to do a once over on the whole house...now that the infant is not only crawling, but reeeeaaaching up as faaaaaaar as possible for anything shiny or chokable! Love, Sarah

[Heather]

OMG I want that pantry. I have been trying to figure out a reasonable system for storing grains and beans. Mine certainly won't be so fancy, but it gives me a starting point, that isn't gallon pickle jars.

As far as decluttering, I start in my kitchen and work right to left across my counters, while the sink gets a good bleach soaking. A clean kitchen encourages me to cook, which makes everyone happy. We have a great room that opens into the kitchen and it looks terrible when I let things sit on the counters. It's usually satisfying enough to encourage me to move on into the living room chucking broken toys as I go.

I hope Lil E is on the mend.