Homemaking Challenge for January: UPDATE!!

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I shared about January’s homemaking challenge on this blog post. You can see all of my before pics over there.. now it’s time to give you an update on my progress.

Before I do, I just wanted to say how excited I was by the comments from you ladies who said you were joining me!! Very fun and very motivating! I hope you are also making good progress. Please let me know and if you've posted about it on your blog, please share a link so I can come and see your progress and cheer you on!! 

With my “just tackle one section at a time” tactic I headed to the basement armed with my 3 boxes (keep, give, I don't know) ..



I started with this area…


I began by taking one item at a time off the shelves.. I have a large shelving unit in the basement and also spent some time rearranging items and getting rid of and consolidating items to make better use of the those shelves. I was able to move several items that I wanted to keep to the shelving unit. Not only making better use of that but also clearing things off for future use. 

Here is what it looked like mid-way through (and excuse the ugly, very much in need of a paint job basement.. well.. it's a basement and over the years it has not been at the top of my priority list to take care of!  :) )…


The shelving unit with some of these items…


I also had a few empty buckets with gamma seal lids that I wanted to move my beans into. Previously they were on the shelf in buckets but with lids that weren’t secure. So I made the change and labeled the buckets so I could quickly see what was what…


I finally got it all cleaned off.. except for that big box on the bottom.. that is my Christmas tree and there is no other spot in my house for it.. so it stays..


I sorted through and organized my grocery bags. I keep them for garbage bags and after getting home from the store they were just getting thrown up on top of the tote (that you see over on the left side) instead of being put neatly in the tote… will need to work on some kid training so they can continue to stay in the tote! :) .. then moved a couple more items back. I know I will be storing more things here, just not sure what yet. So I’m leaving my options open for now until I go through the rest of my things.



The white bags on the floor are things my kids have cleaned out of their rooms in the past year; mostly clothes. I need to go through them and see what clothes can be given away and which ones have lived out their useful life. Once sorted, I’ll take them to the nearest thrift store or Good Will.

As I worked my boxes filled up.. all except the “keep” box (on the right). I don’t think the things I went through this round were really in question .. most I wanted to keep, some I knew I was giving away.



As you can see from the picture below.. I still have a ways to go!! But, I still have time and will continue to pursue this goal this coming week. I figure even if it is only for 30 minutes… I’ll do what I can!!



How is your project going?


 We Can Do This Girls!!




 

Comments

  1. Cozy Seaside HomemakerJanuary 7, 2014 at 10:46 AM

    This is very inspiring. I don't have a basement or much storage, but I need to neaten up my porch/back door area. I like the idea spending 30 minutes. I just read an interesting book called Satisfied that talks about "stuff." You may like it - it just came out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalJanuary 7, 2014 at 6:53 PM

      I'll have to check the book out.. I like the title! I've been on a campaign for the last few years to get rid of "stuff" and question why I keep what I do and more important.. not buy more "stuff" unless it has a specific needful purpose for my family. Good luck on your porch/back door area!! Let me know how you do!

      Crystal :)

      Delete
  2. ThreadBearJanuary 7, 2014 at 1:13 PM

    Picking thru legos and dirty socks as we speak! Great time of year to do this - no one wants to go outside, that means all my helpers are at their post of duty!

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    Replies
    1. CrystalJanuary 7, 2014 at 6:53 PM

      Good job!! .. Helpers are at their post of duty!! Can so relate to this!! :D :D You go Mama!! Crystal :)

      Delete
  3. IJanuary 7, 2014 at 2:17 PM

    I'm inspired now! Great job :) You made more progress that me~ I haven't done much organizing. I had to launch the giveaway on my site and that took me a long time. It's my first so I wasn't really sure where to go from there. It's not really "homemaking" but it was on my TO DO list

    Ila from http://www.hehasms.com

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    Replies
    1. CrystalJanuary 7, 2014 at 6:55 PM

      Ila, sometimes it's all about baby steps.. One baby step at a time is at least moving in the positive direction... we all have responsibilities in other areas.. so it can be a challenge at times.. And you know..as a blogging wife and mama.. it is part of your "homemaking" in a way.. Glad you got it done!

      Crystal :)

      Delete
  4. Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity FarmsJanuary 7, 2014 at 6:06 PM

    Its great to see your progress/update! I've not accomplished anything - YET ;) With the past few days of winter storms and bitter cold schools have been closed so I've had my two grandsons here each day. We've had a lot of fun, but not much work getting done (except the outside chores) I'm hoping to get a start this weekend, even have my boxes ready to go!

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    Replies
    1. CrystalJanuary 7, 2014 at 6:57 PM

      Thanks Cary.. Doing some grandma time is a priority for sure!! Glad you've had a fun time.. Good luck with the weekend! Let me know how you do!

      Crystal :)

      Delete
  5. UnknownJanuary 8, 2014 at 6:24 AM

    Glad to see your progress!
    My sewing room is coming together nicely and several huge boxes have been removed for donations. Whew... who knew we had this much "stuff". Moving sure reveals all the junk that has no purpose anymore! Ha!

    ReplyDelete
  6. JamieJanuary 8, 2014 at 10:10 AM

    We're going to start tackling our basement organizing today. My girls are ready and eager to help! They're going to sort, discard and organize their section while Mama does the same with her stuff ;) Going to put on some worship music and organize! Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jennifer January 9, 2014 at 4:24 AM

    My basement is going slowly, but I have made some projects. I think my next step is to assign a specific area to my five oldest children that they are responsible for for keeping clean. I'll help them organize it and then it will be up to them.

    ReplyDelete

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