May 2009 Blog Posts (34)

Tag Sale Pics

Added by Gail Blanke on May 28, 2009 at 5:29pm — No Comments

The "Best Stuff Tag Sale" Was a Hit!

As you can see from the pictures, Sally Carr's "Best Stuff Tag Sale" was absolutely great. All the participants gathered in Sally's back yard at 7:30 Saturday morning for doughnuts and coffee - and to set up their stuff. There was definitely something for everyone - from used "championship" golf balls to wonderful toys, gorgeous china,glassware and thoroughly beautiful antiques. But my favorite item was was the totally smashing and stunningly ugly tutu that Larry, Sally's husband modeled for… Continue

Added by Gail Blanke on May 28, 2009 at 5:22pm — No Comments

Workbook

Can anyone tell me where the Workbook is that I can download? I just started reading the book and am excited to clear the clutter and as a newly wed there's plenty to sort through.

Added by Karen Konkel on May 27, 2009 at 11:21am — 1 Comment

What a feeling!

After work yesterday, I made two stops with my items to donate.

First off was a stop at the City Mission with a CD/DVD tower (new, still in box), and a bag of ladies clothing, two brand new pair of shoes (amazing what one will find in one's closet!), some miscellaneous jewelry and a couple watches. I had carried the CD tower around in my trunk for at least three years, then had hauled the heavy thing into the house where it kept getting in my way for a couple years. I used to laugh… Continue

Added by Susan on May 27, 2009 at 8:06am — 1 Comment

PHOTOGRAPH FESTIVAL!

I had four days off work, so I went through the papers in the Cubby-hole paper filer (what do you call those things, anyway?)

and filed them.. I tossed a few more, too. Can't put this in the count, because I included it earlier.

I sat on my porch and went through old photographs. Tossed the old, boring and damaged ones. Threw out duplicates.

My Mom and I went on a picnic and looked at vacation photographs together, after we ate Chinese food. Mom liked them a lot! So I am… Continue

Added by Susan R. Cullen on May 26, 2009 at 7:49pm — 1 Comment

confused

I am new to the site...is there a place I can go to start my "50 things to throw out" list?

Added by Patricia Holten on May 26, 2009 at 11:50am — 2 Comments

Progress continues

Today I hung 9 pictures in my "office". I'm really calling it my "Project Room". If the camara hadn't deleted the before pictures, I would have entered it in the contest. It was a horrible mess. It is getting better.

34. Broken bracelet

35. Easy-bake oven

36. Hummingbird feeder (the cat ate a hummingbird)

37. Toy microscope

38. 4 old pocketbooks

39. 5 swimsuits

40. 2 dining room pictures

The amazing thing is all the neat things that I am… Continue

Added by Sarah Tallent on May 25, 2009 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

Finally getting started

I've listened to Gail's book this month - downloaded from audible.com so a book doesn't take up physical space. I got started on this task yesterday. My tally so far:

1. 68 DVDs - I'd started collecting old television series on DVD, having not watched any of these. Four concert DVDs that I know I won't watch again. I need to continue sorting through the DVDs and get rid of even more. Count as 1 thing. Donated to city library.

2. 2 pair of new Enzo shoes, miscellaneous… Continue

Added by Susan on May 25, 2009 at 7:00am — 1 Comment

I'm at 50!

Yay! I bought this book a month ago because I am moving out of the country in 2 weeks and I needed some help clearing out my stuff and my life. My goal for the move is for it to be a fresh start in many aspects and the book has helped me towards that goal. Here is my list.

1. Picture Frames

2. Clothes to Refasion

3. Uncomfortable shoes

4. 3 Skirts

5. 4 pairs of capris/shorts

6. 8+ bottles of nail polish

7. Jewelry-belly button/earrings

8.… Continue

Added by Bethany on May 23, 2009 at 7:04pm — 3 Comments

My Song: Don't Rain on My Parade

Whenever the little voices in my head tell me I can't do something, I sing this song.

Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter.

Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter.

Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade.

Don't tell me not to fly, I've simply got to.

If someone takes a spill, it's me and not you.

Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade.

I'll march my band out, I'll beat my drum.

And if I'm fanned out, your… Continue

Added by Nanci Singleton on May 23, 2009 at 2:26pm — 2 Comments

Weight Loss~~~26 pounds

Hi! I've been following the food plan in the book,"The Skinny on losing weight without being hungry" by Louis j. Aronne, M.D. It's the best book on weight control I've ever read. I've lost 26 pounds over the last 3 weeks. I was on a 1,200 calorie diet plan 2 years ago & didn't lose anything .I am diabetic , so it's working to help that too.

Added by Lisa Wilson on May 23, 2009 at 12:01am — No Comments

I AM IN THE HOME STRETCH!

Yes, it's official.....I'm at 45!

Tossed one old coat,
Gave away one can of paint to someone who can use it
Gave away one throw rug
Tossed one nightgown--not worn for years, and torn.
Gave away one fold-up raincoat
Using up the bath salts/oils...they shall be gone by Monday
Brought extra phone book to work (Some other phone book company left me one--already had a new one from the regular company).

Added by Susan R. Cullen on May 22, 2009 at 7:07pm — No Comments

My 50 things (that are no longer mine)

I have made purges of my stuff at several points in my life: my 14th birthday, after I moved from home, before marriage, after marriage, before every move (7 total, 2 after getting married). All were significant purges; I filled half a dumpster when I moved from home (no furniture even, just stuff). We currently live in a small house and, although it is cramped with our stuff, I thought we had purged ourselves to the minimum. I got excited about the 50 things, and took the challenge. Here's… Continue

Added by Patrick MacCubbin on May 22, 2009 at 11:02am — 2 Comments

It's funny how much you begin to see once you open your eyes

For so long I have been so wrapped up in sorting out how best to defend myself, that I forgot to look around and see my friends.

Time to reach out to these folks.

Added by karol rubiano on May 21, 2009 at 11:45pm — No Comments

Thanks Gail.

I was lucky enough to see Gail Blanke at a WINS event in New York City. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of her book, which really just made my week. I realized that throwing out 50 things wasn't going to be as hard as I thought, I mean, I only have my room for now.

In the process of thinking about the stuff I have that I don't want, I realized that not having that many things is a blessing in disguise. I've always been sort of a person to throw away things I don't want, or… Continue

Added by karol rubiano on May 20, 2009 at 7:53pm — 3 Comments

Kap-lah!

That was Klingon for "Success!"

I just dropped off the romance novels for the library book sale and a box of papers to recycle to boot! I filed two boxes of loose papers yesterday; finally going through all the stuff that was too important to throw out, but didn't have to be acted on right away.

Then, I did something astonishing... I finished the wallpaper boarder that I've been delaying for two years! It took 44 minutes, and I've spent years trying to clean out my office… Continue

Added by Sarah Tallent on May 20, 2009 at 6:23pm — 1 Comment

My FIRST 50 Things

Yep. I'm going for multiples of fifty. This is the first bit, started this past weekend and continuing through this week. These are all physical things...the mental throwaways will be listed later.

1. 3 unused wastebaskets from my laundry room

2. Half a bag of bargain diapers and half a bag of bargain Pull-Ups that leak

3. Stained clothing belonging to my kids

4. White table cloth accidentally dyed pink in the wash

5. Ceiling light cover that we can't figure out… Continue

Added by Stacey on May 20, 2009 at 11:30am — 2 Comments

Way to Throw!

So many of you are doing great, especially if this is your first 50! Don't fear! It is easy to keep it going. You will most likely find yourself giving it a second thought before you make new purchases. I found that keeping a box of Throw-outs (give away, donate, trash, whatever)is an easy way to keep the momentum. It really has become a habit in this household and we can tell when it is time to do another 50. We actually have not done very well on the garage so far, but it is the summer goal.… Continue

Added by Karen Weiss on May 18, 2009 at 10:49pm — No Comments

Perfect Timing?

I first noticed Gail's book at the store. I didn't pick it up. My first reaction was: NO WAY! I mentally jumped away from the book as if the very idea was contagious! But over the next few weeks I found myself thinking about that title. That darn title. Hmmm....throw out 50 things? Could I do it? Sounds easy enough but there's probably a catch.

Well, needless to say, I did end up buying the book. I absorbed the information like a sponge....then I found the catch: 50 DIFFERENT Things!… Continue

Added by Mellama on May 18, 2009 at 9:10pm — No Comments

Old, sad, memories that weigh you down need to go

Yes, it is so important to toss stuff that makes you feel heavy-hearted.

Among the stuff I have tossed are the following (these are already included in my 38 count)

A hat that makes me feel old. It was also the hat I was wearing years ago when I was mugged. eccch.

(I was alright, but mugger got away). Hat was a reminder of that bad time. GONE!

Coffee mug that reminded me of a sad time in my like....reminded me of a person who betrayed a loved… Continue

Added by Susan R. Cullen on May 18, 2009 at 5:34am — 2 Comments