Sunday, September 26, 2010

Piler or Filer?

Are you a Piler or a Filer?
Piler: One who puts things in a pile.
Filer: One who files things.
Warning: I am a piler.  The pictures do get worse but I am making progress.
This post is for the people that think I am just perfect like my Sweet Mother!
My basement needs a lot of help.  I have been removing items the last few days because we had a yard sale yesterday and today.
I was determined to get rid of "stuff".  I am so over it.  So as I went through things, pulling things out I ended up with lots of piles.
Why is paint still out?  I haven't painted anything in over a year. 
And what is all that stuff piled with the paint?
I was going back and forth between the basement of the house to the garage carrying things out when I noticed old pots sitting around here and there.  So here I made another pile.  But right now I am working on the basement and don't need to get sidetracked by starting outside.
Lets see what all I see here.  A hamper.  Gift wrapping supplies.
  Is that cassette tapes?  Scrapbooking bags. I could go on and on.
This hamper was May May's (Mandy's-see the label?) when she was at home. 
Lets see....how many years has she been married?
Nevertheless it is empty now. So what do I do with it?
I made a Gift wrapping station with it.  Notice the label has changed from "Mandy" to "Gift wrapping Station".
I like this.  I really do.
Progress.
This is my pile for the "Sparta Hilton".  Every time I go I take a little more. Also in the totes are clean towels and sheets. 
See the little green ice chest?  I just bought it from my daughter today at the yard sale. 
I like the size of it.  See the striped bag?  It is a stacking container that keeps food hot
and the little red container keeps food cold.  See that little thing sticking up out of the back of the tote? 
That is a flag pole and American flag for the "Sparta Hilton".
See it is all needed stuff.
Doesn't the Sparta pile look neater now? 
I have organized it all in totes and stacked it up. 
Progress.
Oh my goodness!  I love ebay but ebay is messy!
This is just a little part of my shipping supplies.
I am moving most of it out to my garage.
I am so over it. 
Look better?  I think so. 
 I also put these shelves inside a closet
so the doors can be closed when I am not using it.
Progress.
Empty containers is progress for sure.
When I empty a container, my rule is to get it out of the house so I don't fill it back up.
Remember I am a piler.
I have actually emptied a whole shelf in the basement kitchen.
Progress.
Well most of the piles I showed you above were in this room.
My office.
How does it look now?
Progress huh?
Well I have to tell you that over in the left hand corner that you cannot see is several totes with pictures in them and my scrapbooking bags.  I am not sure what to do with them yet.  But it is getting there.
"Sweet Hunter" has not even went downstairs to see it yet. 
His office stays immaculate all the time.
He can't understand why I can't keep mine like that either.
I am a piler. What can I say?
I have to tell you that my upstairs which is our main living area is cleared out and decluttered.  Even if it needs dusting and mopping it still looks clean because I have got rid of the "stuff".
I am so over it.  I want to be a filer not a piler.
Progress.
Well I worked really hard on my basement. 
I made a lot of progress so I thought that
I would reward myself with a lavender bubble bath.
Yes, I love this! 
Progress.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

When you think of piles, think of Granny's one little straight pin she had when she went to be with Jesus! Use what you have or get rid of it...period! Don't look back.

lindsey said...

yes I am a piler too...though not as bad as a I used to be. I think it is because we have so many things 'on the go' at the same time. Most of my piles are in my sewing room, I try to keep our living area pile free. It always amazes me when I go into some peoples houses and there is NOTHING anywhere...I just wonder 'Where do they keep all their stuff!'

StitchinByTheLake said...

When I get home next week I'm going to do the same thing Valerie - get organized! blessings, marlene

Amelia said...

I am a filer for most part - but then times when I get started on a project I become a piler...bet you are glad you made so much progress in resolving the "clutter" issue.

Pat said...

I am, basically, a piler and then sometimes I start to become a filer...but then I go back to being a piler. LOL

Michelle said...

I am definitely a filer. All. The. Time. Even when I am working on a project, I stop and 'file' what I am not using, so I don't feel like I am in the middle of a battle field. I like to keep things organized and neat....visual neatness. When I get up in the morning, the first thing I do is 'file' is I have left anything out from the night before. It's like I can't start my day until I have a 'clean slate'. What you don't know, is how things look behind closet and cupboard doors! That is where I keep all my stuff! LOL!!

Now, I have to confess. Last week we had quilting, and that is when I started my pinwheel blocks. The basement has been messed up all week, but I can deal with that, because I JUST. DIDN'T. Go. Down. There!

I would have never guessed you were a piler, but you did great, and it looks GREAT!

Granny said...

When I'm working on a project I'm a piler. Once the project is done I put everything away.

Diana said...

You've made good progress. I'm a piler too. I get it!

Alice Grace said...

Well you have inspired me! One reason I have for not sewing as much is that my sewing room is so cluttered and I can't stand to work in there until it is cleaned up! So, today is the day! I will begin on that, because I really want to get back to sewing on a regular basis.

Love Bears All Things said...

I know just what you mean..after having to go through 60 years of 'stuff' after Daddy died, every time I come to something obsolete like the cassette tapes, I think: if I don't get rid of this my kids will have to when I'm gone...I don't know why we hang onto it....Before I unpacked the VHS movies here at this house, I went through them and gave all the children's to a friend who became a grandmother for the first time when her son married a woman with a little boy...I still have a VHS player and the Princess watches some old movies on that now and then..like Wizard of Oz.
I like to think about clearing out things but I'm not much for the action.
Mama Bear

Allie said...

Sweetie you have done so well - I'm a piler too and it does get old! I'm really impressed at how well you've done.

Samantha said...

I can only pile for so long, and then the clutter gets to me and I am forced to file! Hope you enjoyed that lavender bath!! You deserve it after all that hard work!

caknitter said...

Aw, your office looks so clean. Now if only I could do the same with my piles, because I have to admit it once and for all, I'm a piler too.

Margaret said...

Piler and filer When the pile gets slightly high I file . Like to everything in order do I. An amusing post.

Lori said...

Filer - hands down! Clutter drives me crazy and piles look too much like clutter.