Well, my basement camp is off to a slow start.
I can see small differences but over all it feels a bit like a bigger mess than when I began. Not really following a set plan but doing what seems most needed and what I think will help make the space feel better. Some of these items were way overdue.
Thought I’d just list out what I’ve done so far.
Monday Accomplishments:
We have a trundle type daybed down here partially broken though still functional. So my husband had to fix/replace the bed risers to get the 2nd mattress to go back underneath it.
Before replacing the mattress, I took the opportunity to deodorize (found an old jar of carpet fresh sprinkle stuff…a bonus declutter item!) and vacuum underneath it.
Washed the sheet from the bottom mattress though I need to replace it still.
Vacuumed part of the area in front of the bed.
Pulled down some hanging backpacks from when the boys were in elementary school (high school and college now!) to donate. Started a bag of books to sell to the used book store. Not looking to get rich from the books but figure that’s the best course for them.
Monday Distractions:
A late start because I had to run to the grocery store, wanted to post on my blog, and do a little laundry.
Also, I had to go pick my son up for lunch in the middle of my progress. He’s been wanting to just come home and eat lunch so far this week.
We had to go to the hardware store to get the risers. They actually lift the bed up too high so we’ll need to find a different set somewhere. That turned into another side errand with my husband so we could look at new doors and keyless entry knobs. Someone stole our neighbor’s truck Sunday evening/Monday morning and I’m no longer comfortable leaving the key in the mailbox as we’d been doing for our youngest son sometimes.
Tuesday Accomplishments
I’m not finished yet so I might have other items to come back and add. It was another slow start though.
Wiped off TV and TV stand (we have 2 remotes down here and neither seem to go to the TV so I do need to solve that mystery)
Vacuumed area in front of TV stand
Decluttered a trash can not in use and an old step stool
Shredded a huge pile of old paid bills that were just sitting on the TV stand
Had husband take down super dusty blinds that provide privacy from stairs (kind of a make-shift 3rd wall) and set them up outside. Washed them with some dish soap and sprayed off with the hose.
Fixed arms to my computer chair with duct tape (chair is very old but so comfortable that we just fix instead of replace)
Tuesday Distractions
Husband decided in the morning we should go take care of some banking business that we both needed to be present to do.
Stopped to take pictures of trash and recycle bins for “evidence” in ongoing battle with our trash service. Had to figure out how to set the date/time stamp on one of the cameras. Turned out to be a mute point as they actually picked up our stuff today. (I need to turn the date stamp back off now) 
Had to pick up J from band camp as he wanted to come home for lunch.
Writing this post.
On My Basement Camp List
As I “attend” my basement camp, I’ve been making a list of the items I need for down here. Here’s what is on my list so far:
Duct tape (sounds a bit ominous but it’s just to fix my computer chair)- Rechargeable stick vacuum
- cedar balls
- Big tub for extra blankets (I’m giving up on space bags which always seem to get holes in them)
- A tub for each of our sons to keep their yearbooks and school papers stored
- A small bin/tub for my boost file (it’s outgrowing the folder a bit and I need to store some of it)
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Although it doesn’t feel like I’ve done much, it’s been such a mess down here that even the tiniest bits should help during my basement camp week. I keep reminding myself of one of Gretchen Rubin’s secrets of adulthood:
Things often get messier before they get tidier.
I’m hoping to make the area nice for when the kids want to have friends over so they can have this space back as a hangout spot again.
Are you cleaning or decluttering any areas of your home? How’s it going?