|
Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: Decluttering support thread
|
Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
|
Posted
My mother had a button box, helped along when my grandmother was working at a sweater factory and was allowed to bring home "left-overs." Those buttons brought me hours of pleasure when I was a pre-schooler "helping" my mother to sew. Just running my fingers through the box of them was fun. (No one seemed to worry in those days that toddlers would swallow things that small -- and I didn't.)
--------------------
"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
|
Posted
Button box, hah. I have button tubs. More buttons than I shall ever use in my lifetime. I am hoping for grandchildren. A little girl, who can take all these buttons and play with them -- string them into strings.
--------------------
Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
mark_in_manchester
not waving, but...
# 15978
|
Posted
DaisyDaisy said:
quote:
Yesterday I spent 5 hours decluttering the garage so that I can fit a trailer into it
If you're able to stand it on its end with the wheels and tail-board off, ball-hitch uppermost, you'll use less space and you can keep things (like the wheels and tail-board, but maybe a little more) inside the box.
I used to do this, but now I don't have a garage. So all my motorbike bits are indoors...
--------------------
"We are punished by our sins, not for them" - Elbert Hubbard
(so good, I wanted to see it after my posts and not only after those of shipmate JBohn from whom I stole it)
Posts: 1596 | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
When we moved here, just over 8 years ago, I put a group of ten lever arch files containing old correspondence, bank statements, etc. in a convenient niche and have never looked at them since. Yesterday I emptied the files, collected the plastic sleeves for reuse and put all the papers, etc. in a convenient laundry basket for later destruction by fire. The lever arch files can, apparently, get us a few rupees at the recyclers place! I now have a place to put all my hard copy photos - which frees me up over a metre of bookshelf!
Hmmm, I feel a book-buying binge coming on...
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... I feel a book-buying binge coming on...
I think that might be against the rules of this thread ... ![[Devil]](graemlins/devil.gif)
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... I feel a book-buying binge coming on...
I think that might be against the rules of this thread ...
Books do NOT count as clutter.
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
--------------------
"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
Preach it, Pigwidgeon!
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
jacobsen
seeker
# 14998
|
Posted
Especially if they have their own shelf space (even if they are not often occupying it.)
--------------------
But God, holding a candle, looks for all who wander, all who search. - Shifra Alon
Beauty fades, dumb is forever-Judge Judy
The man who made time, made plenty.
Posts: 8040 | From: Æbleskiver country | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
daisydaisy
Shipmate
# 12167
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by mark_in_manchester:
DaisyDaisy said:
quote:
Yesterday I spent 5 hours decluttering the garage so that I can fit a trailer into it
If you're able to stand it on its end with the wheels and tail-board off, ball-hitch uppermost, you'll use less space and you can keep things (like the wheels and tail-board, but maybe a little more) inside the box.
I used to do this, but now I don't have a garage. So all my motorbike bits are indoors...
Thanks for the idea of removing the wheels - it's already up-ended, and the tail-board bits are sunk into the bodywork, and everything just about fits into the garage now. So if I need more space I'll certainly try removing the wheels.
Edited to add... On one of the trips to the dump I found someone about to tip a sack full of reasonable apples (so far less than 25% bruised) so I feel a chutney session coming on (12 portions of apple & parsnip soup are about to go into the freezer).
[ 23. February 2016, 08:17: Message edited by: daisydaisy ]
Posts: 3184 | From: southern uk | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Doone
Shipmate
# 18470
|
Posted
Especially if they're double-stacked ![[Help]](graemlins/help.gif)
Posts: 2208 | From: UK | Registered: Sep 2015
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by daisydaisy:
Edited to add... On one of the trips to the dump I found someone about to tip a sack full of reasonable apples (so far less than 25% bruised) so I feel a chutney session coming on (12 portions of apple & parsnip soup are about to go into the freezer).
Please could you post the recipe for apple and parsnip soup on the recipes thread in Heaven?
This evening I'm going to a course that the person taking it claims teaches techniques for decluttering and stopping procrastination.
Here's hoping.
Huia - dubious, but willing to give it a go.
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lamb Chopped
Ship's kebab
# 5528
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
My mother had a button box, helped along when my grandmother was working at a sweater factory and was allowed to bring home "left-overs." Those buttons brought me hours of pleasure when I was a pre-schooler "helping" my mother to sew. Just running my fingers through the box of them was fun. (No one seemed to worry in those days that toddlers would swallow things that small -- and I didn't.)
This is exactly what I did with my grandmother's jewelry box with my sister every time we visited--and it's why I never get rid of costume jewelry myself. I'm hoping to have grandchildren who will enjoy doing the same thing.
--------------------
Er, this is what I've been up to (book).
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!
Posts: 20059 | From: off in left field somewhere | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Huia:
... techniques for ... stopping procrastination ...
I'm going to try those tomorrow ... ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Beethoven
Ship's deaf genius
# 114
|
Posted
I recently read (yet another) article on 15 simple steps to decluttering. It could have been summarised thusly:
1. Throw out stuff you don't need
2. Don't buy more stuff
3. Get your family to do the above two steps.
Sadly, in my case, this would involve finding a whole new family, as the present lot seem firmly wedded to their ways... ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
Despite their best efforts, however, in recent weeks I have found & maintained order in most of the downstairs. And I finally put away all the Christmas things which had been cluttering the stairs since Jan 6th, so the stairs and landing are much improved. I also took the cunning step of clearing away 3-year-old and therefore very out of date work documents that Mr B brought home and hasn't looked at since a few days after. They're now in a pile in my office, waiting for me to have quality time with the shredder.. ![[Two face]](graemlins/scot_twoface.gif)
--------------------
Who wants to be a rock anyway?
toujours gai!
Posts: 1309 | From: Here (and occasionally there) | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Beethoven:
... I also took the cunning step of clearing away 3-year-old ...
I really ought to read the whole way to the end of the sentence; I thought at first that you were talking about one of your children. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
I know what you mean about your family though: if I were to de-clutter all D's books and magazines, I'd probably have to de-clutter D. as well, and that's not really an option ...
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
quote:
Originally posted by Beethoven:
... I also took the cunning step of clearing away 3-year-old ...
I really ought to read the whole way to the end of the sentence; I thought at first that you were talking about one of your children.
Me too! I thought she was applying step #1 to the 3-year-old and wondering why she didn't to the whole family.
![[Snigger]](graemlins/snigger.gif)
--------------------
"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Beethoven
Ship's deaf genius
# 114
|
Posted
A very cunning plan indeed - so many tears and much aggro would have been saved if I had got rid of a three-year-old Opus...! ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
On balance I think I'm happier keeping the family, but...
--------------------
Who wants to be a rock anyway?
toujours gai!
Posts: 1309 | From: Here (and occasionally there) | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
RuthW
liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13
|
Posted
The decluttering support thread merges into a more general advice column as we apply the Konmari method to family members: "Do they bring me joy?"
Declutter your house and save thousands on no-longer-required therapy!
Posts: 24453 | From: La La Land | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
|
Posted
The best decluttering decision I ever made was ditching my ex (which, coincidentally, also cut down quite a bit on other household clutter).
--------------------
"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
Well, for me the decluttering thread has somewhat merged with the weight loss thread. I started clearing my table and discovered two pairs of fairly new pants I wore last time I lost weight ... and they both fit. What's even better is that they are very light weight (and it's been horribly hot lately here) and they go with a couple of lightweight tops nothing else really tones with ![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
It's like being given something out of the blue.
Huia
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
What a lovely feeling that must have been , Huia. Encouraging too. My unit here is one of the larger in the block, two bedrooms and airy. However it is not huge but I am constantly amazed at how much clutter accumulates.
Son is getting married again in a couple of weeks and hopefully this will mean he takes things with him. A glass fronted cabinet with several shelves? Full of his collection of matchbox cars? It is not an attractive piece of furniture at all but was free, a big consideration to him at the time. I have told him it must go. But first I will have to remove some old matchbox toys from my childhood.. A Jaguar car and a caravan it towed and a couple of others.
![[Hot and Hormonal]](icon_redface.gif)
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
|
Posted
For me the decluttering thread dends to converge with the All Things Crafty thread. I find things and resolve to knit or sew them up. I am making great inroads on four yards of Asian silk (purchased or given to my mother 40 years ago) which shall become a dress and loose jacket, for me! I also have here a bag of very fine knitting cotton, which clearly ought to be a lace top of some sort if only I can find the right pattern.
--------------------
Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
Well, Brenda, there is another time sink for you. Searching Ravelry for the only pattern which will fit your requirements.
I gave away an enormous amount of wool a few months ago. I still have SABLE.
My cotton yarn was stored in my pantry/store cupboard. Not long after I moved here just on five years ago, there was a strange smell in the tiny room. After a couple of days searching, I found that a jar of raspberry vinegar with an ill fitting lid had tipped over and dripped slowly into the tub which had my cotton in it. Compulsory decluttering and it took ages to get the smell out of the room.
[ 25. February 2016, 22:01: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
|
Posted
The drain pipe under my kitchen sink gave out this morning and flooded all the cleaning supplies I keep underneath. It's been repaired (I have a wonderful handyman!), and now I've sorted out what I need, what I don't need, and organized the things I'm keeping.
--------------------
"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Tukai
Shipmate
# 12960
|
Posted
Mrs T and I have just returned from interstate, where we performed "ultimate decluttering" - we spent a week emptying my mother's flat in preparation for a sale. We filled two skips with rubbish (in addition to the one we filled in November) and about 20 packing boxes full of stuff for one of the many local op shops (in addition to the dozen more that we filled in November) . Plus of course the stuff that has gone to recycling - mostly old cardboard cartons, which were the packaging for items bought 20 or 30 years ago, and 2 bags of pharmaceuticals which we took to the local chemists for disposal.
Although notionally a 2-bedroom flat, it has the floor area of many 3-bedroom ones, and a huge amount of built-in cupboard space in every room.
As each new cupboard full came to light, Mrs T would mutter loudly "don't let me get to this stage" and "she [my mother] had the gall to upbraid me about my housekeeping???!!".
Some lessons we learnt:
1. "Tidy rubbish is still rubbish". (Most of the clutter was neatly put away into the capacious cupboards)
2. You don't need to keep 100 empty glass jars, unless you are a very keen and active jam-maker, nor the packaging for every item of hardware ever bought. (Two of the full cupboards contained
nothing else!)
3. Nor do you need to cover every visible flat surface with clutter.
4. Declutter while you are still physically capable of doing so. (Some of the cupboards were either so low down or high up so that for the past 5-10 years (when she was in her 80s) mother couldn't reach there to get anything in or out, including half-empty packets of biscuits and the like. But because those cupboards were neatly shut and forgotten about), the weekly cleaning lady didn't look in them.
--------------------
A government that panders to the worst instincts of its people degrades the whole country for years to come.
Posts: 594 | From: Oz | Registered: Sep 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Boogie
Boogie on down!
# 13538
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Tukai:
1. "Tidy rubbish is still rubbish". (Most of the clutter was neatly put away into the capacious cupboards)
Very, very true!
I must print thins out and put it up in my study - which I continue to try to declutter!
--------------------
Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
|
Posted
(wincing at the idea of opened packets of biscuits ten years old) I hope you did not have mice.
--------------------
Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leorning Cniht
Shipmate
# 17564
|
Posted
"Does it bring me joy?"
The honest answer is that I don't own a single piece of clothing that brings me joy. I own clothing that brings me warmth, and which covers the essentials (which brings other people if not actual joy, then at least the absence of horror), and I own clothing that is socially appropriate for various occasions, but joy? I just don't care that much about clothes.
Posts: 5026 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
I can relate to that feeling. This summer I have had to throw out a piece which did actually give me joy for very many years. It was threadbare in many spots and not suitable for wear anywhere.
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Yangtze:
quote:
Originally posted by Doublethink.:
Tomorrow is the day I am Konmaring the wardrobe andtaking the excess to Oxfam ![[Ultra confused]](graemlins/confused2.gif)
How did it go? I love the KM approach. I sent 11 bin bags of clothes to the charity shop and 22 carrier bags of books. Am now finally getting towards the end of paper which has been a long old slog.
Well, I did it, off loaded a deal of non-joy inducing clothing - purchased joy inducing underwear drawer overhaul. However I have found that I still tend to end up with my laundry in a heap downstairs.
Have not maintained the careful folding, though I keep promising myself I will do it again.
Still need to finish reorganising the back bedroom.
--------------------
All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell
Posts: 19219 | From: Erehwon | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984
|
Posted
Essentially, my life would be sorted - laundry wise - if my washing machine and dryer were in my bedroom.
Perhaps, one day, I will organise appropriate plumbing.
--------------------
All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell
Posts: 19219 | From: Erehwon | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
This idea is dependent on our definitions of joy. Really perhaps a purg thread there.
Life is made up of more than joy, unless it is that deep feeling underneath, and that is a good thing. Must stop or a AS host will be along admonishing me.
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Curiosity killed ...
Ship's Mug
# 11770
|
Posted
Interesting - my wardrobe has stayed sorted, barring the ironing pile that is piling up (other reasons for that one), including the vertical folding for most of the drawers, including underwear drawers. I couldn't see how to make it work for sort of trousers that end up in bottom drawer of the chest of drawers: jeans, walking trousers, cycling shorts, leggings, tracksuit bottoms.
It helped sorting t-shirts into one row of tidy enough for work and another of layers for walking / cycling, and the same for my jumper drawer, which has one row of Guide stuff (if you go camping with Guides, you need a range of tops for every day with some sort of Guiding theme). I found that really useful.
I can now point to the rows of clothes in my drawers and explain what is there and why - because they are organised into sets I use for different things.
The paperwork and resource writing mountains, however, are not getting shifted, somewhat affected by getting ill the first time I have had any time off in four months - the two things are not unconnected.
--------------------
Mugs - Keep the Ship afloat
Posts: 13794 | From: outiside the outer ring road | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
|
Posted
I've ben doing quite well, for me at least, in decluttering recently - made more urgent because we have Builders in (lathe and lime plaster ceiling came down ) so have tried to declutter as I clear.
Now all is thrown into chaos with the revelation that Dame Janet Smith's enquiry at the BBC has been hampered by not being able to find memos and other correspondence from 1970/71. I mean, would any of us have stuff that old?
--------------------
Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
Posts: 4950 | From: somewhere in England... | Registered: Sep 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
Eigon
Shipmate
# 4917
|
Posted
I'm not a very feminine person in the bathroom - I don't wear makeup or use all those creams and things (I must have saved thousands over the years by not buying them!). But occasionally I get toiletry Christmas presents, and I have a stash of pretty soaps that I intended to give to people I needed to come up with a present in a hurry for. Since the stash has been sitting there un-used for about three years, I've just decluttered it, and some hats and gloves, for a trip a local charity is making in a couple of weeks to Dunkirk to give aid to the refugees there. They specifically asked for toiletries.
--------------------
Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind.
Posts: 3710 | From: Hay-on-Wye, town of books | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
jacobsen
seeker
# 14998
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
Now all is thrown into chaos with the revelation that Dame Janet Smith's enquiry at the BBC has been hampered by not being able to find memos and other correspondence from 1970/71. I mean, would any of us have stuff that old?
(Coughs deprecatingly) As a matter of fact, I have all my tax bumph and supporting documents since 1984 sitting in my attic. Yes, I KNOW we only need to keep it for ten years,but just in case....
--------------------
But God, holding a candle, looks for all who wander, all who search. - Shifra Alon
Beauty fades, dumb is forever-Judge Judy
The man who made time, made plenty.
Posts: 8040 | From: Æbleskiver country | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
|
Posted
Am making progress.
{{{{{All of us}}}}}
--------------------
Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
|
Posted
For reasons known only to her my daughter has a carriage whip, six feet long and with a lash seven feet long. (We do not own either a carriage or carriage horses.) It has stood for ten years in the corner of my office, while she has spread her wings and flown away. I have finally given it away on Freecycle, to somebody who just acquired a carriage.
--------------------
Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Mrs Shrew
Ship's Mother
# 8635
|
Posted
Two full bags of junk decluttered from the spare room today. Now using up fur fabric scraps for a craft project for brownie holiday in a couple of weeks
--------------------
"The goal of life is not to make other people in your own image, it is to understand that they, too, are in God's image" (Orfeo)
Was "mummyfrances".
Posts: 703 | From: York, England | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
|
Posted
Only another month to go before the church rummage sale! I can finally take over the boxes, bins, and other things I've put aside. I'll do one more look through closets, drawers, cupboards, and outdoor storage and then get rid of much unwanted stuff.
--------------------
"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lamb Chopped
Ship's kebab
# 5528
|
Posted
Having massive anxiety here (so what else is new, LC?). Mother and sister flying in for son's confirmation, and the house, shopping, etc. is a disaster. REalistically I know it could hardly be otherwise, with Mr Lamb gone to visit sick brother, and me in exams/working/still dealing with healing surgical wound under arm--but my mother has always been one to evaluate your housekeeping, and mine is basically shitty. Plus all our foodstuffs, cooking, spices, etc. are set up to cater for Asians, and they are not Asians and will be expecting a host of foods we never ever eat (sandwiches, cheese, diet soda, orange juice, etc. etc. etc.) I rather think the Lord is handing me Mary and Martha to contemplate on, but I'm being dense today. At least it's occupying my brain cells and preventing a certain amount of panic.
--------------------
Er, this is what I've been up to (book).
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!
Posts: 20059 | From: off in left field somewhere | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
jacobsen
seeker
# 14998
|
Posted
Why not send them on a food shopping spree to get what they really like to eat and drink? Their contribution to the revels.
I need to clear my hall - it's full of the stuff taken from my last (crashed) car's boot. Maps for every county in Great Britain, for which I have no shelf space....Walking poles. Walking sticks. You name it, and none of them have places. And the new car's boot is much smaller.
[ 19. March 2016, 13:31: Message edited by: jacobsen ]
--------------------
But God, holding a candle, looks for all who wander, all who search. - Shifra Alon
Beauty fades, dumb is forever-Judge Judy
The man who made time, made plenty.
Posts: 8040 | From: Æbleskiver country | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
We have finished the bathroom and shower room and are delighted. The concept of decluttering by category rather than place did the trick.
We threw away 6 carrier bags full, and can now see and access what we need and use. I estimate that if we hadn't done it, I'd have spent £20 between now and Christmas buying more of stuff we already had.
The only downside is that it took several hours, off and on, and our living room floor disappeared for 48 hours. Still, it should save time in the long run.
I posted that on 3 Oct last year. We are only now reaching the last of the shampoo. Today I bought shampoo for the first time in six months. I estimate I have another couple of months worth of shower gel to go, although the North East Man ran out of his favourite shower gel a couple of months ago, and had to buy more.
Kondo-ing the bathroom and shower room has been an unqualified success. As we've worked our way through the backlog, the cupboards have been getting steadily tidier, with no further effort whatsoever.
BUT, despite the fact we know it works, we haven't found the consecutive evenings necessary to put aside to do various cupboards. We know it will be worth it. But it just hasn't happened yet.
Meanwhile, I am chipping away at the study. It's been two steps forward, one step back, but at least it's going in the right general direction.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
|
Posted
It has taken me a full year to get to it, but this month I began to sort through the 16 long boxes of comic books. All the ones of worth will go to an auctioneer in New York City; everything else will go up on Ebay. All the Batman items that do not sell on Ebay will go to a friend of mine who wants them, but his wife has made me promise that this shall not exceed two long boxes, so a pass through Ebay is essential first.
--------------------
Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
|
Posted
jacobsen--
Re the stuff in your hallway:
Maybe a bulletin board for the maps? And some kind of a hook or pegboard system for the walking sticks? Could make a nice display, and would take up less space. Doesn't necessarily have to be in the hallway.
--------------------
Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Boogie
Boogie on down!
# 13538
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
It has taken me a full year to get to it, but this month I began to sort through the 16 long boxes of comic books. All the ones of worth will go to an auctioneer in New York City; everything else will go up on Ebay. All the Batman items that do not sell on Ebay will go to a friend of mine who wants them, but his wife has made me promise that this shall not exceed two long boxes, so a pass through Ebay is essential first.
You could make a fortune!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
--------------------
Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
|
Posted
No, I doubt it. I did sell my classic Xmen run some years ago, when the first movies came out and the market was at its peak. I needed $ to send my daughter to college. But mostly these comics are worth little or nothing.
--------------------
Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Beenster
Shipmate
# 242
|
Posted
Home move on the horizon so 3 bags of clothes gone to charity. not sure how I managed to amass so many - well that's easy to answer. I bought them. I was quite ruthless in the process, but could have been more ruthless.
The question now, do I ditch the CDs now that everything is with iTunes?
Posts: 1885 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
jacobsen
seeker
# 14998
|
Posted
Golden Key - thanks for the ideas. I did actually sort the hall out yesterday - and am always astonished at the amount of emotional energy it takes! Not too much to throw out, but plenty to rehome in the music room etc. What I do have is an overflowing basket of scarves. The maps are actually books - A-Zs of each county. They are in a stack at present, but could be upended as in a bookcase. Everything is now accessible. Long may it last.
But I have found that decluttering needs to be a way of life, rather like clearing drains...
--------------------
But God, holding a candle, looks for all who wander, all who search. - Shifra Alon
Beauty fades, dumb is forever-Judge Judy
The man who made time, made plenty.
Posts: 8040 | From: Æbleskiver country | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Cottontail
Shipmate
# 12234
|
Posted
I have had a minor victory today in my battle against the paper. I returned to the idea of sorting by categories, and so made three piles: paper to be thrown out immediately; paper that needs to be shredded first; and paper that I need to deal with and file. It meant I moved a lot more quickly than shredding-as-you-go, and I managed to clear five of crates of the stuff!
I still have to do the shredding and filing. But it's manageable now, manageable!
--------------------
"I don't think you ought to read so much theology," said Lord Peter. "It has a brutalizing influence."
Posts: 2377 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jan 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Printer-friendly view
