March Declutter Challenge
1 Apr
The 730/365 Declutter Challenge is hosted by Amy at The Finer Things. Click here to read more about women decluttering their homes.
Well, this month was certainly interesting. BEFORE I found out we were moving to New Jersey I did this:
I went through my nightstand and got rid of:
2 piano music books that I never use
1 Benadryl topical stick that expired in 2008
5 pages/scraps that I’d torn out of magazines but never needed. One was on the new standards for alcoholism. It really was interesting how very little you have to drink to be considered an alcoholic. But I don’t know who I thought I was saving it for. David and I don’t drink.
1 spiral notebook on which I’d tried to write a story. It was terrible.
I also put 2 of my old culinary arts school uniforms in the garage sale pile. I had thought I might go back someday and finish my degree, but it isn’t going to happen any time soon, and the name of the school I attended has changed, so I’d need a new uniform anyway.
AFTER I found out we were moving, I became ruthless. I had a garage sale and got rid of
5 braclets that I rarely wore
3 rings
1 necklace
1 gumball machine that was in David’s office
1 pair of cowboy boots
2 dresses
1 skirt
5 blouses
2 pairs of shoes
1 sports bra
1 purse
1 serving bowl
1 Easter plate (that I’ve never used)
8 juice glasses
10 candleholders
1 decorative telephone (We don’t have a home phone.)
2 crystal candy bowls (that I’ve never used)
2 vases
1 decorative fleur de lis
1 decorating book
3 coffee mugs
2 house plants
1 watering can
3 pots
I also got rid of 1 Christmas tree, 1 wedding dress, 1 couch, 1 arm chair, and David sold 5 video game consoles with games and controllers on ebay. I took at least 5 books to Half Price.
It was also fun giving things away. One of my brothers hopes to move out of my parents’ house soon, so I gave him a few kitchen knives, our toaster oven and some picture frames. I also gave Maegan some of my Pampered Chef stoneware to use until we come back or they come visit us. Things like a loaf pan and a muffin pan just aren’t necessities now that David is gluten free.
There were a lot of things that just weren’t practical to move such a long distance. A few days before we moved, I gave away
3 bags of beans,
9 canned goods
1 bag of flour
1 bag of sugar
1 bag of apricots
1 bottle of white wine vinegar
1 bottle of red wine vinegar
1 bottle of vanilla
1 box of iodized salt
1 box of sea salt
1 box of Kosher salt
Maybe more stuff. That’s just what I remember.
Total Items for March: I’m estimating at least 115. It was hard to keep track this month.
In February my total was 49 and in January my total was 25. So far I’ve gotten rid of 189 items in 2010. I’m not sure what will happen in April moving into our apartment. We shall see!
I can’t believe you parted with ANY pampered chef items!!! I love my few pieces…and honesty here…covet so many others!!!
Sounds like you did a good job decluttering before the move!
Been praying for you guys. That everything would settle in nice and easy for you once you got all set up and going.
Great job on decluttering… looking forward to reading how you do this month!
Great job!
I know sometimes I hang on to things that I really don’t need but save anyway just in case. It is great when I declutter them! 
I have to tell everyone that the items you packed and are keeping in storage are organized! You’re a great example Ashley! De-cluttering helps with de-stressing life too!
Kudos!
You didn’t mention your largest item for the month…a VEHICLE!
I think you win in the pound-for-pound declutter category. 