Hoarding...not just on TV

Brighton_belle

Byatt wrote: »

I showed my counsellor the full pictures and her reaction told me it was bad. I hoped she would say, well, it's not that bad.

I'm glad for you she was honest:) I would have felt miserable living with the level of clutter and chaos in your before pics, which you were too of course. Compared to Richard, no it wasn't that bad. But definitley not life enhancing, life enriching or restful. Of course you knew it was 'that bad' as you woudn't have anyone round.

Today I have taken a footstool I really cringed at style wise to the c.s. having replaced it finally this week with one I found on ebay that I lurve.
We're about to declutter a boiler, our mis-sold piece of tin can died on us this morning after 2.5 yrs (dont ever ever buy a F*rrolli) which in itself was a replacement after 3 yrs after much legal wrangling. Ouchy indeed, most of all financially. No hot water for us for the next 12 days, though thankfully we still have heating.

I'm hoping to do some major decluttering in the attic between crimbo and the New Year. Though my days are already filling up with other things. But I am itching to get up there, so it would be 'for fun' rather than a chore.

decogecko

Just a reminder that 'The hoarder next door' is on at 9pm on channel 4.

Will be taking some things to cs tomorrow. Had a lovely letter saying that they'd made 18.45 from my donated good plus gift aid. I thrilled and it's a great incentive.

I will continue the dericharding over the festive period, I don't want to lose the momentum, plus I am loving my clear spaces.

whitewing

What's a flower day, lir?

I have drink in hand, work all done, cards, chocs and presents distributed out as much as possible before xmas. Table folded up and away. We have space, but not quite up the byatt's 'after' standards.

lostinrates

A flower day is a typo. . No idea what I was tying to say. Slower day maybe?

Byatt

Another friend (ahem) popped round tonight, which was positive in some ways, she was very critical of the size of the place 2 years ago, but was very complimentary this time, other than asking me (after telling me about all her positive things happening in her life), well, what are you going to do with your life Byatt? I'm 15 years older than her, and have lived my "working" life and it's not what I expected it to be and I have started a small business, but I have come to terms with that, mostly. But I could have and wished I'd said all the things I thought of after she'd gone. :wall:

Just feel drained with all the tidying/cleaning and trying to be positive and ok...am I the only one who will be glad when December is over? I need to come up with a plan for next year :silenced: December is such a carp month. And it's easy for the fragility of my soul to just crumble.

GQ, yes it was a bargain. I wanted the green one but they wouldn't let me have the display one citing health and safety, but must admit I do now prefer the white one. I won't be doing much tidying, other than keeping on top of what I started. I'm trying to clear up as I go! Need to clean the fridge so will do that tomorrow. :cool:

LIR, love the typo of "flower day"...:) I think I will use that for "slower"...

I'm getting better at de-Richarding paper back books, gave a load of Jack Reacher novels to friend yesterday for her and her partner, she returned 3 of mine, and I've put one on the CS pile and the others, well one is for me to read, and the other I will pass on to someone else.

I have some nice goodies for Xmas eating, but not OTT...I'm hoping not to do any food shopping in January!

I hope all those MIA are fine :A

GreyQueen

A white tree adds to the feeling of lightness and airness in my opionion, Byatt.

I'm not a fan of the month of December in general and much prefer to see the back end of Christmas/ New Year and then enjoy the feeling of the year accelerating towards Spring.

She starts slow and suddenly WHEEE there it is and before you know what you're doing you're living outside (on the allotment mostly in my case) and enjoying the sun on my skin.

We're not meant to be living in northern Europe, it's outside the natural habitat of our species, so it's not to be wondered that we feel a bit blah and blue at this time of year.

Also, I think a lot of the trouble is the excessive pressure displayed to have a perfect Christmas with our perfect family in our perfect home with our perfect cooking and our perfect every bliddy darned thingummy you could name.:p

I just accept that life is imperfect and that I shall curl up in an armchair and overeat and watch garbage programmes, play a few desultory boardgames and chat to my very elderly Nan between her frequent naps. And walk in the woods with my Dad, with the convo ranging all over the place. And a chance the fuss the two slightly-imperfect rescue cats who sing their joyous purrs and love the attention, the leftovers and the central heating.

I suppose I could do the washing up. Theoretically, I mean.

Byatt

Thanks GQ,

well although I'm working over Xmas, I will get to cuddle cats and bunnies and talk to hamsters, who seem to hang on my every word! very therapeutic and flattering!

blossomhill_2

lir - I read it as free day - have fun with it whatever it turns out to be - and take care with your cold/immune system
Byatt - I agree the white tree adds to the airiness - enjoy those cats and small furries
Deckogecko - keep up the momentum but do enjoy yourself
Steph - that sounds really positive, but don't forget there can be a bit of a gap between making a decision and being able to see it through to the conclusion, so if you get snagged up at all please keep posting here so we can offer support

DD tried to clear some of her room, she doesn't really live here but has been in transit for a while so has kept stuff here - she was quite overwhelmed when she realised just how much stuff she has - and sad when she found stuff which she claims she has thrown out 4 times and I have retrieved! (blush)
So several black bags have gone straight into the bin without me looking into them, and I won't look into them, I promise
And I took some strong boxes to the street bins as I knew I would be tempted

As well as lamps I have a problem with clocks that don't match the decor but I like them ...I think for now I need to put them all together on a "clock shelf" in the wardrobe in the spare room so I can see how much room they take up, and whittle them down - at the moment they are spread round the house

Do you remember I posted a while back about caculators - I had decided on two to keep ... then I found one identical to one of those, so kept that too - DD tried to explain to me that I was ok with just 2 so there was no logic to keeping the 3rd, twin, but for now I have had to keep it - don't know why I need to tell you that but am expecting you to understand!

I am really pleased with my using up of Christmas stock and have decided to make all my cards next year, as double-incentive not to buy in the sales

blossomhill_2

I could fall slightly in love with Stelios

Byatt

He's lovely isn't he?