Day 39-40: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

So the results from my trade in at the local children's store are in.  They offered me $27.75 in cash or $30 in trade.  I took the cash.  I was left with a box that was still fairly full of clothes.  They took the large humungous toy that my son played with for like 3 days and 2 pairs of shoes.  I haven't gone through the returned box with a fine toothed comb, but they didn't take too many clothes...

Fortunately, our preschool is doing a Free market trade in the park next week.  I look forward to going to the event!  The community at the preschool is wonderful!

I started work on a baby blanket for a cousin's daughter who is due in August.  Digging out fabric from my stash.  That will be nice to get that done and use up some of the fabric I own.

I saw a friend and gave her some clothes for her son.  That's a bag!  He needed the shorts today when we saw him too! It was kind of a hot day today.

I am still on my workout kick.  I've only not worked out two days out of the whole month.  The day after daylight savings, because it was daylight savings day, and St. Patrick's day which I was entire too busy.  I am considering it a success that I've been able to do my workouts and look forward to them every day. It has seriously changed my mood and demeanor and I crave sugar less!  So great all around!

Day 36- 38: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

We finally finally got rid of the entire Christmas tree this week, and the green cycle truck took it away! That's a big bag.

I had hoped to sell some of the kids clothes, shoes and toys, but really I am so annoyed with people flaking on me.  My time is worth more people!  I decided to try my luck at selling the items to a local secondhand children's store.  I opted for money, but if it's not much, I might exchange it for store credit and get "more" value out of the clothes.  We shall see.  This was 3 bags and 1 huge toy, that our son begged us for, which he played with for one week after Christmas, and then he wanted to return it.  So... That's a huge bag out of the house.

I ran across a gift certificate that I needed to use for wine tasting and tour.  It expires soon.  So hopefully I can use it soon!

The exercise habits are keeping me sane and the house is a bit more peaceful now.  Ahhh... So nice.

Day 29 - 35: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

The last few days have been a bit hectic.  Responsibilities at school as well as family functions.  I have had interest in several items, but they have all turned out to be flakes.

I have continued on my work of getting rid of kids books and clothes.  We donated a bag of suits that never fit me.  I realized what my size is finally.  Now I can have clothes that actually fit!

I have packed up more books and magazines.  Fabric is the next thing to do I think.

I've continued to work out nearly daily for nearly three weeks now.  I've noticed my mood is better and my energy is good.  I also found an interesting result is that I don't crave sugar as much.  Who knew that would happen?

Keep it up people!  It takes 2 weeks to make a new habit and now I'm nearly 3 weeks in!

Day 28: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

Day 28:

 I just realized I have a raffle prize for wine tasting for 10 people that expires on April 15th.  I found the certificate and invited people for dates..

I went through some magazines today.  I believe I can let those go... I really don't have the time to read 30 magazines...

The woman that was going to buy something from me flaked out.. So, I still have that bag prepared to sell. Still waiting.

I worked out at the gym finally again and used something that I've been meaning to for weeks.  It was this workout called "Bitch Booty Workout."  Oh my god.  I'm sore!

I also am continuing with my Wii workout.  Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since my latest workout kick!

Day 27: 40 bags in 40 days

Today's bag was a project that's been on my to do list for a while.  I had a person flake on purchasing things today.  Hopefully it happens tomorrow and I had additional interest in something else.  I would love to have those two bags out of our house tomorrow!

Day 26: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

So I finally found my checkbook!  Phew! I was a bit worried. Isn't it ironic that I lost my checkbook during this purging episode?  At least I didn't accidentally throw it away.  That's what I worried about.  I am hoping to sell some clothing tomorrow.  Hopefully $16 more in my pocket.

Feeling a bit spacey today.  Did I mention I really really dislike daylight savings time?  I feel all out of sorts.

Day 23, 24 & 25: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

Day 23: I sorted through some clothes.  I think I've given up trying to sell things on selling groups on Facebook.  No hits.  I packed it up and am going to sell to the used clothing store.

Day 24: I returned some items that have been hanging around here that didn't fit or work. So that's a little bag.  I found a Christmas card with $100 in it!  I had lost that in a pile of mail.

Day 25: I am still in search of my checkbook.  No one has found it and written any checks in it.  It is still lost in my house... Hope to find it today!

Exercise continues. I am still working out with my Wii.  I finished the first short term goal with my visual personal trainer in the Golds Gym Dance workout.  I started another my workout plan today and selected that I wanted to work out a lot! So we will see how that goes.  I did a quick workout and then went to a Zumba class today as well.

Day 20, 21, & 22: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

It's been a bit of a hectic few days over here.

Day 20: I was snack person at school on Monday.  I worked on getting rid of the kids books.  They seem to multiply over here.

Day 21: My desk goes from a state of being calm and clear to a cluttered mess in a day or two.  I worked on a cluttered desk and posting more things to sell.  I'm not sure it's worth it at this point.  I might have to try to sell it at the local used children's store.  Less hassle and it will be out of my house.  I worked on getting all my crafty paper items in order.  I place a lot of things back where they were supposed to be and made sure to give the kids everything that was theirs in my space.  I worked on my never ending pile of mending clothes.  My daughter loves this dress and tore holes in it by neglecting to do the buttons.  I fixed the rips, now I just need to get the buttons back on the reinforced fixed place.

Day 22: I started paring down my fabric.  It's difficult, but I will never get through most of this fabric.  Some of it was given to me.  I threw out some ripped jeans that I was going to do a project with, but in reality, I don't have the time, so out it goes.

I can't believe I'm past the half way mark.

In other news, I am a week into my new fitness routine.  Mornings with my Wii workout, Gold's Gym Dance workout.  I'm still loving it!

Day 18 and 19: 40 bags in 40 days

So the last couple of days, I've reduced kids books even more and cleared out the craft closet a bit. It needs more work.

Other notes: I've done a workout every day for several days and am feeling more energized. I've been working out with my Wii. The gold's gym dance workout has proven to be enjoyable. I really like it! And since I've decided that I'll use it, the Wii stays!

Day 16 and Day 17: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

So, I am trucking along with my challenge.  Yesterday I boxed up some books to go to some other family that need them.  Today I worked on my kids art supplies.  It's so difficult to figure out how much is enough and how much is too much!!  My kids love to do arts and crafts. Today they used all of the pony beads that I had for them.

I've had a burst of energy, which I contribute to my newly started exercise routine.  It's a Wii game, Golds Gym Dance Workout.  I am enjoying it, but it is a bit too easy.  I think the workout that the "trainer" picked for me was like 8 minutes today.  So not enough.  Needless to say, I am enjoying it and my kids are having fun with it as well.  Mostly just laughing, sometimes at me, sometimes at the activities that I am doing, but at least they are cooperating and helping me do it.

Are you catching up?  Follow my 40 bag challenge from the beginning.
http://30daystoimprove.blogspot.com/2018/02/40-bags-in-40-days.html

Day 15: 40 bags in 40 bags challenge

So, today started a bit rough. I was going to give away some vitamins that our son didn't take to and my husband took them from the person's hand and said we aren't giving those away any more.  He's worried about liability.  Anyways...  The vitamins are gone. I would have liked them to go to someone who would have used them, but I guess they are just being wasted and are out of our house.

I went through paperwork today and found 2 gift cards today.  Something related for the kiddos and one for a garden place I've been interested in.  So that was good.  A big load of paper work in recycling and bills paid and filed.

I organized a fundraiser for tonight and my child is sick.  So that's a bummer. At least I can order for delivery and it will still count toward the fundraiser.

I worked out today for the first time in almost 2 years on my Wii game station.  My children watched as I worked out and laughed thoroughly as I dodged bulls and kayaked down a river with alligators chasing me.  I might actually be able to workout regularly if it goes as well as it did today.  I burned almost 200 calories about the equivalent, according to my Wii game, to a Caesar salad.

Day 14: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

So..  The search continues for my checkbook.  I saw it someplace weird last week and didn't move it and now. I am unable to find it.  I think I'll probably find it in my freezer or something.  Or my kids put it somewhere that I can't find.  We shall see...

I worked on each bathroom and getting rid of things in the drawers.

I found $5 behind a dresser and the hospital tag from the birth of my daughter in the bathroom.  I guess it's been a long time since I cleaned that out.  She's 3 1/2.  :)

Day 13: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

So, I finally sold some sheets that were barely used today!  That's a bag.  I think I've been posting them for at least 4 months. $40 in my pocket feels good!

Still looking to unload some more kids stuff.  I might have to go to the local children's secondhand store and get some credit.  At least it would be out of my house sooner than later.

Day 10, 11, 12: 40 bags in 40 days

It's been a bit busy this weekend as people have come to visit and we had a party.

I had one person contact me about purchasing something and at last minute rescheduled for today.  So we will see how that goes.

Day 10: Went through papers and recycled and shredded.

Day 11: Made more sale posts.

Day 12: Threw out some clothes that are torn or overly stretched. (It wasn't good for anyone.)

Baby steps.  I need to have a good solid time to go through things.  Yesterday I was working on a project, but my kids were fighting too much. I had to leave the house for my sanity.  I've been looking for my checkbook that has been misplaced hopefully somewhere in my house.. I still haven't found it. :(

Day 9: 40 bags in 40 days

So today, I worked on cleaning up and getting things done early. We had guests today.  Not much done in the decluttering department. Hopefully I have a good day tomorrow..  I'll be working on paperwork tomorrow.. I have lots piled up and it has to be dealt with! I have a pile of stuffed animals with ripped seams that my kids have requested that I fix. Poor little kitty, blueberry and teddy bear.   I was able to get those back into service and fixed. I also managed to sew back together a fabric grocery bag that came undone at the seams.. Finally!  It's all apart of my never ending fix it sewing pile..  One of these days I will get a hold of it!

Day 8: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

So, yesterday I didn't do too much decluttering.  I returned some items that were hanging around.  I haven't had any hits on the sale posts recently.  I lowered prices and will see....

Day 7: 40 bags in 40 days

Yesterday, day 7, I cleaned a bag of trash out of my car.  Probably should do that more often!

Still trying to sell things to get money for things.

Day 6: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

So yesterday I did another bag in my garden and listed a bunch of kids clothes and things for sale on Facebook sale groups. Hopefully we will get some money for some of it. Also I packaged some things to return to Amazon, my husband's stuff. Working on cleaning out pantry. Fridge is surprisingly empty.

Day 5: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

So yesterday, day 5, I decluttered my garden of some serious weeds, an abundance of dill and arugula.  It's still not done, but it felt good to get that more under control.  I expect to work on the garden more today and finish prepping so that I can plant some things with my kids.

I also decluttered more kids clothes.  It's unbelievable how much clothes little people can have and how quickly they can grow out of them.  I sold a bag and made $15!  It was a quick and easy sale.  I love those kinds of sales!

Day 4: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

I worked on my kids art supplies.  They have taken over the kitchen island bookshelf and the artwork that my kids will never look at.  I paired down and was able to find something that we have been missing and get rid of things we do not need.  Next onto the books.

Day 3: 40 bags in 40 days challenge

So today, I worked on my kids room while they were at school. Hopefully it stays cleaner this time. It always seems like a struggle to clean house while they are making a mess in another room.

Specific bag: kids at supplies (no one needs cheap crayons), more too small clothes (kids are growing so fast).

40 bags in 40 days challenge: Day 1 & 2

I have been working on decluttering.. Something that I think a lot of people can relate to.  It's difficult to stay on top of things in the house and it piles up and drowns you sometimes literally in boxes, paper, toys!  Ahh!!  If you've had enough, you might want to try 40 bags in 40 days.

The premise is that for 40 days, you get rid of one bag per day of stuff!  The bag can be any size depending on the items that you are getting rid of.  Think big with things like mattresses and dressers or think small with junk drawers and bathroom excess.

I've not be so vigilant with getting rid of things.  I have a pile of things to get rid of, perhaps if I could sell them... It stays there for far too long.  Then I donate to get it out of my space.

The 40 bag challenge is from the blog, White House Black Shutters.  All the information is here:
http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/40-bags-in-40-days/

The challenge started yesterday February 14th and will end on March 31st.  Will you join me?

February 14th - I sold a dresser finally that I've had on a Facebook group since October.  I'm guessing!  Finally sold it. $75 up!

February 15th - I went through some clothes with my kiddo!  Getting rid of too small clothes.  Growing fast! Cleaning up house for Chinese New Year! Lots of work done today.

What will I get rid of tomorrow?