The Great Declutter Part 3 - 2011

lovecrafting

20 could be an issue for me because i am having some time issues, but i will go for ten if thats ok

MsHalffull

ooh - popped in to see if anyone else was up for a mini-challenge. Pleased to see that at least 3 of us are :j.... 20 for some of us, 10 for others.

Couple of hours on the sunlounger then off I go ...

A short trip to the High St has brought

IN

2 X T.Shirts for DS
Swimming Trunks DS
Sandals DS
Giant Tennis Ball DS
Pair of gorgeous sandals - CS

GreyQueen

I have a wee dilemma which I'd like some input on, if anyone would be so kind.

The problem: My kitchen is very very small. The entire room is only 6 x 6 feet. I have a section of countertop at right-angles to the sink and leading up to the cooker. It's only 19 inches deep x 4 feet 5 inches long. That counter, plus a bit 23 x 23 inches alongside the cooker comprise the sum total of my working space.

About a week ago, I took the microwave which normally takes up nearly half of the long counter out of the kitchen so I could clean thoroughly. And I haven't yet put it back. I haven't needed to use it (it's on the living room floor by the kitchen door and could be brought back in seconds).

The thing is, I am really really appreciating having the use of the bit of counter. It's making my life a lot better. I'm loathe to lose it again under the appliance.

The MW was a gift from a woman (who is now an ex-colleague from a previous job) when she moved house. We're not in touch and she'd never know if I parted with it. I have no money "invested" in it and would post it on Freecycle and am sure I can rehome it easily.

Thing is, would I suffer from de-junkers remorse? Do I use it occasionally only because it's there and would just as easily use some other method and not miss it? After all, I was well into my forties before this MW (my first) entered my life. Is it one of those things which I have because I have, IYSWIM?

Can someone advise me if they've de-junked a MW and did they regret it? What would be the consensus of how long I should let this appliance "season" before accepting that I can let it go?

BTW, positioning it elsewhere in the home or storing it are not options. I'd offer a few mates first dibs if it did go, but otherwise it's Freecycle.

debbiedeejay

GreyQueen -

If you are finding working in the kitchen is easier without the microwave compared to the few times you use it then I think that offering to mates first then if no takers freecycling it is a lovely idea.

De-Junkers remorse?...hmmm probably the few times you wish to quickly heat something up but think of the extra space for all the other times you wish had, when it was just sat there!

lovecrafting

I agree, i have a tiny tiny kitchen, so much so that i actually have one cupboard for food and one for plates etc, under the sink i use for pans, if i had a microwave i would really really struggle space wise...i vote get rid

Sue14

Took all the CS stuff to the shop this morning, which consisted of three filled boxes, a half full bag and a cassette storage cabinet. I'm up for the 20 things challenge, will have to do it tomorrow as going out soon, but hopefully I should be able to find at least 20.

Savvy_sewing

Well I have managed to remove two cardboard boxes from DS's room. One in the recycling bin now, and the other stacked in the shed to go back to the removal firm. Eventually.
I have also cleared out DGD's clothes while sorting for our holiday on monday, and managed to clear out a black sack full, ready to pass on to my eldest daughter who is expecting a girl.
She also came this afternoon and collected the moses basket I was covering, and with that was a packet of nappies, a blanket, a spare cover for the basket, and a carrier bag of bits for the baby.!!
Its the first time in ages that stuff has gone out the door and not come in it!
Mind you it will take a lot of days like that to make much of a difference in my house.

Allegra

GreyQueen wrote: »

? Do I use it occasionally only because it's there and would just as easily use some other method and not miss it?

I have not had a microwave for years, and do not miss it a bit Whilst when I had one (briefly, in a rented flat), I used it quite a lot, just because it was there.

Only you know the answer, really, but to me, MW definitely isn't an essential bit of kit, and I would appreciate the space much more, personally.

On the other hand, I had a similar thing with my breadmaker - which I loved, and used all the time - I shifted it to free up some counter space, and then found that handmade bread is much preferred by the whole family, cheaper, quicker, and less wasteful. So I never put the BM back.... But still haven't got rid of it, either. It's in the loft, having a cooling-off period. If I haven't pulled it down by the end of the year, then it will go, but in the meantime.... Just hard to let go of something I used to like, and use, so much.

Having said that, if I didn't have the space to store it while it's "cooling", it would definitely be history by now

Allegra

Mooloo wrote: »

Mind you it will take a lot of days like that to make much of a difference in my house.

Every journey starts with that all-important first step, Mooloo A lot of days isn't that many at all when taken one by one, in isolation

Ellie83

Yay, de-cluttered another room: the bathroom! I even got rid of the shelves that go under the sink as I had enough storage without it. It will be very useful under the sink in the garage though

Tomorrow, I need to go on my hands and knees and scrub the floor and our bathroom will be pristine. :j

Next room, the bedroom, and that is a pig stye :eek: