2008 Wrap Up & 2009 Challenge

We managed to get rid of over 4,500 things in our 2008 "55 Week Fling"! I was so proud of our efforts. When we started on December 1, 2007, I thought getting rid of 208 things would be difficult. We just kept going and going. It was amazing to see. Even when I thought there was nothing left to get rid of, I would open a drawer or get a box out and see even more things I did not need.

When we took out the tree and decorations, I ended up getting rid of tons of stuff. We had enough extra stuff to do a second tree easily. Of course, I kept enough ornaments and lights for a six foot tree even though we currently have a four foot one. I figure it is better to keep enough than to have to go out and spend money (gasp!) on more stuff!

This brings me to the 2009 Challenge. This year I encourage all of you to join in on Project Purge! Consider getting rid of just one item per day. that is 365 items in a year! My family is donating most items to our local FreeCycle group. This year, as with last year, we are not counting items thrown away.

If you chose to follow along on Project Purge, let me know. I'd love to cheer you on!

Giving It Up ... Letting Go

We're just 4 1/2 months into our 55 Week Fling. Things are going better than I ever expected. We are not counting food items given away even though I've given away A LOT of food to my mom's friend who is having financial problems and to an online friend of mine who feeds a lot of the kids in her neighborhood.

That being said, we're now at 2,657 items removed from our house. Almost all of them went via Freecycle, though a few were thrown away or sold on Craigslist.

The main thing that I've discovered in this adventure is that we honestly do not miss the items that are gone. We still have some work to do in one room of the house before starting on the garage area, attic, and hubby's shop. I can easily see us getting to an astounding 3, 008 items!

I have kept up the list of items in a spreadsheet. It is astounding to look at that list and know that I had those items in my house.

We have a lot more space now and we're actually enjoying it. It is amazing how those things work.

Goals Suprassed

In December, Hubby thought that 208 items would be a more realistic goal. We met that and changed our goal to 1008. Well, Ladies and Gents, we've now surpassed that goal as well. Looks like the original challenge amount of 2008 may just be something we can accomplish. At the VERY least, I will continue with my goal of 7 things per week for the year.

Here is this week's list (week ends on Saturday):

1	book - The Note	Mom
1	Mensa Puzzle Book	Gwen
1	Hello Kitty Kit	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	Star light	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	thread type yarn	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	bug	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	stuffed cat	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	faeire crystal	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	poodle grows	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	orange candle	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	Angel Book	Freecycle - Tepeza
3	cinderella stamp markers	Freecycle - Tepeza
4	boy toys	Freecycle - Tepeza
5	magazines	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	Candle	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	Candle holders	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	oil candle holder	Freecycle - Tepeza
1	shadow box	Trudy
1	basket	Freecycle - Tepeza
25	plastic hangers	Gwen
1	basket	Gwen
3	snow globe dragons	Freecycle - Cheryl
2	shampoo	Freecycle - Cheryl
1	toothpaste	Freecycle - Cheryl
1	hair inhibiter	Freecycle - Cheryl
9	razors	Freecycle - Cheryl
1	cologne	Freecycle - Cheryl
2	hair glitter gel	Freecycle - Cheryl
1	hair wax	Freecycle - Cheryl
1	travel bottle	Freecycle - Cheryl
3	bathsalts	Freecycle - Cheryl
2	sample shampoo	Freecycle - Cheryl
1	plastic box	Freecycle - Cheryl
1	tooth mirror	Freecycle - Cheryl
3	bath fizzies	Freecycle - Cheryl
2	plastic drawer things	Mom
1	IGIA Hair Straightner	Freecycle - Cheryl
4	massage tools	Freecycle - Cheryl
2	pks of watercolor pencils	Freecycle - Cheryl
1	Book on BiPolar Disorder	Freecycle - Cheryl
1	Sword	Freecycle - Cheryl
2	sets of curtains	Freecycle - Jean
8	pillow cases	Freecycle - Jean
2	sets of sheets	Freecycle - Jean
15	books	Freecycle - James
4	Makeup Items	Mom
31	Makeup Items	Freecycle - Jackie
1	Cat Door
1	Swiffer Mop	Gwen
1	Large Dry Erase Board	Freecycle - Audrey
2	Downy Fabric Softener balls	Mom
1	Tide Detergent sample	Mom
1	Reclining Chair	Dad
4	drawer organizers	Mom
1	wooden chess/checker game	Freecycle - Yolanda
68	Music CDs	Freecycle - Yolanda
71	Blank CD cases	Freecycle - Yolanda
5	Music CDs	Mom
2	Music CDs	Kes
1	Discovery Toys Mosaic Mysteries	Freecycle - Donna
1	audio cassette	Freecycle - Yolanda
1	Stick Vac Hoover	Kayla
4	Books	Courtney
6	Books	Freecycle
17	Coke Caps	Freecycle - Donna
1	Gap Sweater	Kayla
2	Swiffer Wet Pads	Gwen

This weekly total is 350 (two additional items added to last weeks items). This brings our grand total to 1133. WoooHooo!!!

Going...Going...Gone!

This week has been crazy! I gathered and got rid of SO many things. I know my list looks crazy and I'm sure it will slow down drastically soon. By October, I'm sure I'll be getting tired of this!

Here is this week's list:

2	Kiddie Swimming pools	Freecycle - Susan H
1	Pooh backpack	Freecycle - Shawn
2	shirt	Freecycle - Shawn
2	robe	Freecycle - Shawn
1	"Dreams" Jar	Freecycle - Shawn
1	man's watch	Freecycle - Shawn
1	bedside lamp	Freecycle - Shawn
1	nokia phone	Freecycle - Shawn
1	shower head	Freecycle - Shawn
3	bathroom hooks	Freecycle - Shawn
1	makeup brush holder	Freecycle - Shawn
1	Samsung Charger	Freecycle - Shawn
1	knitted shawl	Freecycle - Shawn
1	scarf	Freecycle - Shawn
1	hankie	Freecycle - Shawn
1	shrek	Freecycle - Shawn
1	shower curtain clips	Freecycle - Shawn
2	bathroom facuet	Freecycle - Shawn
1	stuffed bunny hang on	Freecycle - Shawn
3	small bag	Freecycle - Shawn
1	Set of Jerry Garcia pics	Freecycle - Shawn
2	Sets of handles	Freecycle - Shawn
2	Set of shower rings	Freecycle - Shawn
1	Glade plug in	Freecycle - Shawn
1	package of snore clips	Freecycle - Susan H
1	bathroom bag	Freecycle - Susan H
1	cat mit	Freecycle - Susan H
1	blue basket	Freecycle - Susan H
5	shirt	Freecycle - Susan H
1	cell phone case	Freecycle - Susan H
1	space bag	Freecycle - Susan H
2	Skin So Soft	Freecycle - Susan H
1	mouthwash	Freecycle - Susan H
1	shaving cream	Freecycle - Susan H
1	Robe	Freecycle - Susan H
2	Candle holders	Freecycle - Susan H
1	Sunglass Clips	Freecycle - Susan H
1	men's watch	Freecycle - Susan H
1	jewelry finding	Freecycle - Susan H
1	lotion	Freecycle - Susan H
2	Tshirts	Freecycle - Susan H
1	thermometer	Freecycle - Susan H
1	qtip container	Freecycle - Susan H
6	lotion	Freecycle - Susan H
1	cologne	Freecycle - Susan H
2	stridex pads	Freecycle - Susan H
15	scrunchie	Freecycle - Susan H
8	perfume	Freecycle - Susan H
1	doll	Freecycle - Susan H
3	small bags	Freecycle - Susan H
1	flosser	Freecycle - Susan H
3	hair clips	Freecycle - Susan H
1	face toner	Freecycle - Susan H
1	hair gel	Freecycle - Susan H
1	candle	Freecycle - Susan H
1	nail file	Freecycle - Susan H
1	pen	Freecycle - Susan H
1	shampoo	Freecycle - Susan H
1	face scrubber	Freecycle - Susan H
1	bar of soap	Freecycle - Susan H
1	deo ball	Freecycle - Susan H
3	clippies	Freecycle - Susan H
5	makeup brushes	Freecycle - Susan H
1	lanicane	Freecycle - Susan H
1	baby lotion	Freecycle - Susan H
1	batch of samples	Freecycle - Susan H
1	set of combs	Freecycle - Susan H
1	lipgloss	Freecycle - Susan H
6	ties	Freecycle
1	coat	Kayla
33	Shirts	Kit, Russ, & Freecycle
1	jacket	Kit
1	3 Hole Punch electric	Freecycle - Teacher
2	porcelain doll stands	Freecycle - Libby
1	pk of gift tags	Beth
2	magazine	Beth
1	homeschool book	Beth
2	organizers\	Beth
1	drink bottle holder	Beth
1	pumpkin carving kit	Beth
1	paintable statue	Beth
1	pair of boxers	Beth
3	paintable signs	Beth
1	picture frame	Freecycle - Doti
1	box of crayons	Beth
1	coupon book (McDs)	Freecycle - Doti
2	lanyard straps	Beth
1	lipstick holder	Freecycle - Doti
3	Hello Kitty Stamps	Beth
1	Mary Engelbreit teapot	Freecycle - Doti
1	mini notepad	Beth
2	decorative boxes	Beth
12	Greeting cards	Beth
1	bag of balloons	Freecycle - Doti
2	organza bag	Freecycle - Doti
47	pages of stickers	Beth
1	pk of picture frames	Freecycle - Doti
1	pk of die cuts	Freecycle - Doti
1	pk of cut stamps	Freecycle - Doti
1	Set of Stress Tapes	Freecycle - Shawn
1	GW Cassette Recorder	Freecycle - Shawn
1	paint brush	Freecycle - Doti
1	wooden ball	Freecycle - Doti
1	set of plastic drawers	Freecycle - Doti
1	note paper caddy	Freecycle - Doti
4	felt bags	Beth
1	pk felt bats	Beth
1	dirty words game	Beth
3	pk of sticky felt	Freecycle - Doti
1	pk of little wooded spools	Freecycle - Doti
2	mini notepads (matchbooks)	Freecycle - Doti
1	stapler	Freecycle - Doti
1	staple puller	Freecycle - Doti
1	barette	Freecycle - Doti
1	swatch watch	Freecycle - Doti
1	pill holder	Freecycle - Doti
1	post it sticker	Freecycle - Doti
1	box of fae note paper	Freecycle - Doti
1	small fishbowl	Freecycle - Doti
1	stack of consturction paper	Freecycle - Doti
2	coloring books	Freecycle - Doti
1	box of crayons	Freecycle - Doti
1	stamp pad	Freecycle - Doti
2	decorative napkins	Freecycle - Doti
2	roll of film	Freecycle - Doti
1	pk of dowel rods	Freecycle - Doti
1	keychain	Freecycle - Doti
1	letter opener	Freecycle - Doti
2	tatoos	Kit
2	big stickers	Kit
1	hand made box	Kit
1	small wood box	Kit
1	black ribbon	Beth
1	fabric bit	Beth
3	new boxes of crayons	Freecycle - Teacher
1	spool of elastic thread	Beth
2	magazine	Freecycle - Doti
12	pens	Freecycle - Doti
1	spool of ribbon	Beth
1	set of nail stickers	Beth
2	small paint brushes	Beth
1	black stamp pad	Beth
1	Ann Rule book	Freecycle - Doti
1	bottle clenaer	Beth
1	scrunchie	Freecycle - Doti
2	anticeptic wipes	Freecycle - Doti
1	pk of misc beads	Beth
1	herb recipes	Beth
1	hair gel	Freecycle - Doti
1	magnet	Freecycle - Doti
1	razor holder	Freecycle - Doti
1	barette	Freecycle - Doti
1	large metal basket	Freecycle - Doti
1	pedometer (slimfast)	Freecycle - Michelle
2	boxes of jello	Freecycle - Lani
1	box of pudding	Freecycle - Lani
2	bags of chicken	Freecycle - Lani
1	box of steakums	Freecycle - Lani
1	pk of sausages	Freecycle - Lani
1	can of peas	Freecycle - Lani
1	box of oats	Freecycle - Lani
6	pks of koolade	Freecycle - Lani
1	pk cheeseburger mac	Freecycle - Lani
3	pk frozen cookes	Freecycle - Lani
2	bags of veggies	Freecycle - Lani
4	Jenny Craig Bars	Freecycle - Lani
2	pks of linguini	Freecycle - Lani
1	cornbread mix	Freecycle - Lani
1	box of cookie mix	Freecycle - Lani
1	set of cookie cutters	Freecycle - Lani
2	page size tattoos	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
2	3 ring binder	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	gift bag	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	2' section of ribbon	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
3	bags of scrapbook die cuts	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	necklace	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	card	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
2	rainbow note pads	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	halloween bag	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	pr of scrapbook scissors	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	boning	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	fuseable webbing	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	2002 pooh calendar	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	small origami kit	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	stencil	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	pk of hello kitty gift bags	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	bunch of eucaliptus	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
2	large spools of curling ribbon	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	black note book	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	white pad of paper	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	set of rings for circles	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	small frame	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	large pile of clipart	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	paint brush	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	folder	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
4	3 ring binder	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	magazine	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	vice	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1	paint kit for sencils	Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
9	Shirts	Mom
1	Skirt	Mom
1	Pair of Pants	Mom
1	sweater	Mom
3	vintage books	Freecycle
3	educational books	Freecycle - Michelle
11	mystery/horror books	Freecycle
6	learning books	Freecycle
12	Romance/Other Books	Freecycle
15	Chicken Soup Books	Mom

SO...if you have gotten this far, you see that I've managed to rid my house of 469 things THIS week! This brings our current total to 783!

783/1008
425 items left for my 1008 in 2008 goal

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words...

I took some pictures of the items leaving our house for this Project. I'm not good at getting pictures for each and every item but I'm trying. Anyway, December 2007's total was 314 items.

Here is a picture of a few of the items before they left our home for the last time!

It Is Just Stuff - Project 55 Week Fling

The Shopping Sherpa left a comment on my blog telling me about The Seven Things Spring & Summer that they are doing. It is based upon the The Original Seven Things Project but took into account the items that are being brought into the home.

This is a great project and one that we definitely want to undertake. That being said, I guess I should start with some personal guidelines. Please note that if you decide to play along, you should make your own guidelines to fit your family.

1. Items will be sold, bartered, or given away. Only as a last resort will items be sent to a landfill. The only exceptions to this are items such as shredded paperwork or personal clothing items (panties, bras, etc).
   
2. I will track my weekly progress in my blog and will add photos or information about the items if I have any attachment to them whatsoever.
   
3. If something new comes into our home that is meant as a replacement for an existing item, the original item needs to leave the home ASAP.
   
4. If something new comes into our home as an addition, other items may or may not be removed at the family's digression.
5. Gift items coming in to our house do not necessitate removal of an item.
   

My plan starts this week (December 15, 2007) and will end on December 27, 2008.