Jessica@SheekGeek

Simplifying Check-in (Halfway through January)

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So I’m halfway through the month of January. Here is my latest purge.

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I’ve currently sold three books and one pair of shoes for a profit of $37.18. It seemed like it would be more, but once you subtract shipping fees and ebay fees, it decreases quickly. I read that someone got rid of things as a way of paying it forward for all the good deals they got at thrift stores. This is the frame of mind I’m aiming to achieve, but I’m frugal and also conflictingly hope to rack up a nice amount of cash for items I’ve sold.

Here is where I am at on my to-do list.

Kitchen

  • Pantry
  • Cabinets
    • Plate/Bowl Cabinets
    • Glasses Cabinet
    • Mug/Travel Drinkware Cabinet
    • Tea/Coffee Cabinet
    • Under Island Cabinets
    • Under Sink Cabinets
    • Pots/Pans Cabinets
    • Random Cabinet
    • Medicine Cabinet
    • Small Appliance Cabinet
  • Drawers
    • Silverware Drawer
    • Large Utensils Drawer
    • Plastic Bags/Tinfoil Drawer
    • Dishrag Drawer
    • Hand Towel Drawer
    • Tupperware Drawer
    • Big Junk Drawer
    • Junk Drawer on Island
  • Fridge
  • Counter Space
  • Coat/Shoe Closet

Living Room

  • Large Bookcase
  • Small Bookcase
  • End Tables
  • Coffee Table

I have two more weekends left. I feel like I can make it.

So far I’ve learned it is better to keep all the doors open while you are decluttering. The longer you stare at certain items the easier it is to realize that you don’t need/use it. I’ve also learned that I had way too many items that expired in 2013 in my pantry.

Current Simplifying Stats:

  • Rooms Complete -One Half
  • Cash Profit – $37.18
  • Number of Bags/Boxes Full of Items Donated – 6

Jessica-of-SheekGeek

Rocket Launch

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Adam and I went to a rocket launch last weekend. A friend of ours was working on a rocket design as part of a NASA space grant. You got a sneak peak here.

The rocket launch is held on a farm.

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It is hosted by Rockety of Central Carolina (ROCC).

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Everyone sets up their launch.

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Two kids had their rockets launched at the same time to race.

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And one of the rockets was caught from the sky.

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Not all launches are successful.

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Doctor Who was there.

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An old friend was unexpectedly there with her family.

It was a beautiful, chilly day in January.

Jessica-of-SheekGeek

Photo a Day {1-7}

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Here is my first installment of a photo (or two) a day.

{Jan. 1} Friend’s Nasa Space Grant Project

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{Jan. 2} Precious Cat

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{Jan. 3} Precious Cat’s Attempt at Ferocious

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{Jan. 4} Me and Books

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{Jan. 5} Precious Peeks

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{Jan. 6} Monkey Cat and a 3d Printer..on the living room rug

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{Jan. 7} My Ukulele and New Ukulele Book

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When I decided to do this project, I didn’t think there’d be so many cat pictures.

 Jessica-of-SheekGeek

Plan for Simplifying My Kitchen and Living Room

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On track with my plan for simplification, this month I am focusing on simplifying my kitchen and living room.  I am focusing on these two spaces first because I think they’ll be the easiest, they are a combined space, and they are high trafficked spaces.  Here is my plan of attack.

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Kitchen – There is a lot of motivating organized eye candy here and here and here. I’m going to declutter and organize:

  • Pantry
  • Cabinets – I can’t reach the top cabinets, so my goal is to have nothing on those shelves. The only possible exception to this is the space above the microwave. When I am determining what I should keep, I will use “Simple Kitchen Essentials” and “My Perfect Minimalist Kitchen for a Family” as guides.
    • Plate/Bowl Cabinets
    • Glasses Cabinet
    • Mug/Travel Drinkware Cabinet
    • Tea/Coffee Cabinet
    • Under Island Cabinets
    • Under Sink Cabinets
      • Add a tension rod for cleaning supplies (and other tips)
    • Pots/Pans Cabinets – I may need to find a better way to organize with “Five Ways to Get Your Pot Lids Organized“.
    • Random Cabinet
    • Medicine Cabinet
  • Drawers
    • I am planning on implementing an organization system for junk drawer like this.
  • Fridge
  • Counter Space – I am still debating on if I am going to keep everything completely cleared off. I’m not convinced.
  • Coat/Shoe Closet

Living Room – I’ll read “Get in the Right Mindset for a Truly Clean & Organized Living Room” to put on my game face. Then I’ll declutter and organize:

  • Large Bookcase
  • Small Bookcase
  • End Tables
  • Coffee Table

My plan lists each space individually because it is motivating for me to cross off each one.

Jessica-of-SheekGeek

P.S. I just finished reading Simplify by Joshua Becker and it was a validating, inspiring, and easy read. I have been reading a lot of posts on Becoming Minimalist so I should have made the connection that the book and blog are written by the same person , but I didn’t until I was already reading the book. If you are just getting into minimalism like me, it is a good read.