Hoarding...not just on TV

blossomhill_2

idris - well done in unshopping, and in getting fit before Christmas
Gingernutty - I'd gone out at 7am to get milk for his (imaginary man) cuppa too!
Jo-Jo - I hope there's light at the end of the tunnel soon

Thanks for the commiserations all - I tried to turn the day around by taking the wood that I couldn't bonfire (because it got wet) to the dump - also took the hockey stick because there was a risk I'd use it on the engineer when he does turn up - and a step stool which 2 men had off me before it hit the ground - they couldn't believe their luck (if your OH came hone with a stepstool today; sorry, I was meeee!)

It's not actually the let-down so much but it was the first thing in a chain of events; the clutter on the beds is boxes of decluttered vintage stuff, I was due to check out friend-of-a-friend's vintage stall tomorrow and see her about collaborating in 2 weeks to get pre-Christmas sales - I now can't go as after kicking up a fuss they've rescheduled the engineer for tomorrow but I've had to cancel plumber who was supposed to follow the engineer and the decorator who was supposed to follow the plumber - arghh!

I also won't be able to go to my Saturday half-day job where I was, apart from being needed, due to catflap loads of spare crockery, so the boxes will stay another week, along with the decorating supples

I'm tempted to leave it on my bed and sleep on sofa but as offspring and OH are staying that isn't an option for every bed

Re Kirstie - no I hadn't seen it but will now watch, thanks Byatt, but I think there's a lot of truth in the saying "there's nothing as old-fashioned as something that's just gone out of date"

mollythewestie

Just poking my head round the door with a quick update:

We have actually started to sort out our book collection (we have 1000's) at least 20-30 so far have made it to the charity shop. The "books to be kept" are being indexed, boxed up and put into storage until we buy our forever home - hopefully within the next 18 months.
We are putting aside the books that are unread and will work our way through reading and donating those next.

A car boot load of my Aunts curtains, blankets, sheets, pillows etc have been taken from the loft and straight to the tip. We have loaded the car with another lot to be taken tomorrow.
I managed to ignore the collection of cool fabrics from the 60's and 70's and got rid without thinking what I could make with them at some point, but would in reality they would just sit in a cupboard for several years :T.

1x foot spa, 1x kitchen mixer (in several pieces) and 1x shopping trolley also disposed of.

Lots of things sold on ebay in the last fortnight inlcuding several large items and made over £300.

I'm so pleased with how much we have achieved in the last few months with thanks to the motivation from this thread :A

Gingernutty

Gingernutty wrote: »

When he did show up at 11:00, he didn't even switch the engine off, as he explained that as the work's scaffolding was still up, health and safety meant he couldn't put up his own ladders and he'd have to come back when the scaffolding was down......

........I felt very pleased with myself until Talk Talk texted me to say that the engineer had reported the fault fixed. :mad:

The_Dragon wrote: »

I hope you told Talk Talk that the engineer didn't touch it and you had taken a day off work special like and what are they going to do (did they tell you the scaffold needed to be gone?)

The work had to be finished, yes. The scaffolding wasn't mentioned.

The previous engineer had a set of ladders up otherwise I wouldn't have got the temporary repair with what looks like a black toothbrush holder (or strange adult toy) dangling above my front door.

Apparently, it's waterproofing for the 'joint' in the wires.

I have repeatedly texted "NOT FIXED" to Talk Talk, but of course, they can call me on my land line and measure my internet speed so it looks like I'm lying. :mad: :eek:

Still, I've got less stuff to show for the day, so at least that's something......:o

whitewing

http://www.globalcool.org/lifestyle/recycling-ideas-at-home-computer-cat-bed

I love some of these ideas for the novelty value (am strangely drawn to the egg cup). I am not posting this to inspire you though. I still actually prefer to get rid of stuff.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Oh, by the way, did anybody notice that the IKEA MALM chest of drawers was miraculously transformed into a completely different set with sculpted fronts with only a coat of paint and a set of knobs that were too short on the shaft to go through the original flat faced but angled edge drawer fronts? :cool:


Basically, there was little 'upcycling' - it was clean two rooms and buy more gear.

Byatt

I didn't see that part, just the end result, Jo-Jo, as I was watching on my lap top so mostly listened not watched, because I was also surfing. I did notice however the rather carp job of stapling the material to the L£oyd Loom chest (I have one and hoped for some tips as I want to do the same), and as the friends were helping carry it to put into place for the supposed final scene, material was flapping all over the place at the ends!

I liked the concrete lamps, but how many of us can get the chance of working with an expert! Or even when making the quilt.

blossomhill_2

whitewing wrote: »

http://www.globalcool.org/lifestyle/recycling-ideas-at-home-computer-cat-bed
I love some of these ideas for the novelty value (am strangely drawn to the egg cup). I am not posting this to inspire you though. I still actually prefer to get rid of stuff.

Fun though! I like the keys - will definitely try that one - thanks! I thought the egg cup looked like a V-sign!

Well I found twins today, no, triplets, no, quads! Large desk calculators - thought I had rounded them all up but still found another identical - I used to go on courses run by a co that gave away branded calculators and desk clocks - better hunt down all the clocks now! Will also ditch all their branded folders too

Heating work completed and I am in a better mood, made good use of the time the guy was here and consolidated some paperwork and had a lightbulb moment about a better way to keep it

I fished out the charger for the screwdriver and as I went through the crate I could so clearly recall the relief I had felt years ago when I first started putting things into it, the reassurance that I now had a few screws, bolts etc in stock if things went wrong at a time when we could barely afford to eat

Really enjoying the bits of the home that are working well now, such as getting 3 cat baskets out today to secure the cats for the guy's visit was so simple!

If anyone else is like me and hangs onto notes, post-its and letters that could be ditched bar a couple of points that are scattered about the house: I opened a file on the laptop, took it with me round the house and typed the details in and threw away the paper as I went - I found it fast and efficient, may help someone

alec_eiffel

Byatt wrote: »

I didn't see that part, just the end result, Jo-Jo, as I was watching on my lap top so mostly listened not watched, because I was also surfing. I did notice however the rather carp job of stapling the material to the L£oyd Loom chest (I have one and hoped for some tips as I want to do the same), and as the friends were helping carry it to put into place for the supposed final scene, material was flapping all over the place at the ends!

I liked the concrete lamps, but how many of us can get the chance of working with an expert! Or even when making the quilt.

We're quite lucky as there's quite an active craft scene around here so there are lots of days people can do to learn things. I'm thinking of doing a glass making session. It's not cheap but for £55 you make 3 items - 2 jewellery and one small dish/tile, and it must be a really nice experience. For me that would be worth the expense, for someone else it might not be, horses for courses. We have quilting classes and stuff too for £3.50 a session which isn't bad and there's an "underground" knitting group too, as well as lots of sessions at the library for things like mosaic making and knitting. I guess it's just a case of finding out that this stuff exists.

I gave them the benefit of the doubt with the chest thinking they finished it off a bit more neatly after the "reveal". I think with the quilting lessons Kirstie did say it was over the course of 7 weeks so they probably had a ton of trial runs before they used their nicely printed fabric. Although why I'm defending her I have no clue :rotfl:

blossomhill_2

alec, I wish I lived somewhere where craft sessions are £3.50! I do glass days though and usually come away with an added extra too - I seem to make a new friend at each of them, so they are well worth the £50!
I've recently started helping at a craft therapy group for bereaved and/or depressed people, which has been great for me as I am immersed in crafty people, am learning lots too and sharing/using up my materials stash

alec_eiffel

When I was at school we went to the hospital and retirement home to do crafts and stuff like that. I think it helped everyone who took part.