Hoarding - Springing Ahead

GreyQueen

Well, yesterday evening I bit the bullet and hiffed out a thoroughly worn out pair of shoes and today I have condemned an injured plastic container and its lid to the recycling.

I'm presently crafting another donation bag, to a new-to-me charity. I shop there and they seem to be treading a nice line between maximising the value from the donations and being over-priced for the customers. And I checked out the stuff and can clearly see lots of donations inc clothes out with the gift-aid stickers on. Decision made.

Came home to a catalogue from a store which I have used in the past - I shall get in touch and cancel that, as aren't intending to buy from them again (too expensive even on sale) so that's a waste of everyone's time and paper.

Am also thinking on a few other items, deciding their fates, as it were, and they can leave when I have finished cogitating. And have hauled stuff out of the freezer for the next few days' meals, so there's now a smidgeon of space inside there.

Keep up the staunch work, troopers. GQ xx

catshark88

I finally succumbed and bought a K@rcher window Hoover. I must say that I'm impressed so far. I have the outsides cleaned but I hadn't realised how grubby the insides were... Now I can declutter muddy dog footprints from the glass outside too!

thriftwizard

Oh no - a Window Hoover - how can I resist?! Probably wouldn't cost any more than a visit from the local window cleaners - this house has a LOT of windows and a big conservatory!

I have managed to paint DS1's room & it'll be dry before they get home on Saturday. There's still too much kipple in there but it's liveable and doesn't look too bad now, compared to the depressing dump it was when I started, with three different colours on the walls & paintwork (purple, blue & cream) holes in the plaster, black (mascara) handprints up the wall around where DD2's mirror used to be... It's now a light but warm green (Wickes' Cardamom) with dark green lined velvet curtains, and it will have light green 1950s lighthouse-print barkcloth curtains hanging over the ex-fitted-wardrobe recesses (the sooner they are ripped out the better!) and a large world map hanging on the most damaged wall, under the perilous bit of ceiling. DS1's own blue rug will complete the "look" such as it is!

I'll be re-shuffling the furniture so that both boys can sleep in there on Christmas night when my brother is also here; they won't mind the stray amplifiers, guitars, drum stands, football programmes etc. that I mysteriously seem to have cluttered it up with, which really don't have anywhere else (dry) to go to. Another car-load of stuff has gone to the Tip today and more will go onto my stalls or into Oxfam's book bank tomorrow.

Just don't look into the porch...

ginnyknit

I would love a window vac but it still wouldnt make the kitchen window accessible - I have vivid memory of doing a slow motion fall from the ladders as they slid across the floor and landing flat on my back. I hate mucky windows :mad:

Living room is quite cosy now but I see a big difference when the decorations go away - space! Took another bag to the Cs yesterday and a doll I used when making dolls clothes plus Dgs's dolls buggy that he doesnt bother with anymore - though it would make a good gift for someone who hasnt a lot of cash.

ginnyknit

Spotted a challenge on Fb, get rid of 100 items, either freecycle, cs, recycle, re-gift or chuck in the bin so am working on that this week.

Have second hand magazines to re-cycle, new mags to take to the library and bag for the Cs.

Advertised some wool on freecycle and got about 10 replies. One lady said she did crafts with her 4 daughters and was disabled nd short of cash, so I mailed her and said I would make up a bag of craftygoodness for them but after 3 texts and waiting 2 weeks she didnt turn up. I re- advertised it and a lovely young muslim lady came for it and was so happy that she shook my hand - I think she wanted to hug me but wasnt sure!

So is everyone de-cluttering ready for New Year ?

thriftwizard

Not just for New Year, Ginnyknit - permanently. I've come to realise that I got myself into this mess by biting off more than I can chew, in my business, and I have to dig myself out before I can go any further forwards. The kids don't know how to help me, having grown up in a complete muddle - though bless them, they'll try! - and OH seems to covertly prefer things the way they are, rather than co-operate in my attempts to sort it out, for all that he moans incessantly about it.

So this WILL be the year I get it sorted, and make our house into the home I want to live in, rather than spend all my time fire-fighting (not literally, but metaphorically) and churning stuff constantly from one room to another. Anyone who stands in my way can s*d off & create their own muddle...

savingqueen

[QUOTE=thriftwizard;67317387
So this WILL be the year I get it sorted, and make our house into the home I want to live in, rather than spend all my time fire-fighting (not literally, but metaphorically) and churning stuff constantly from one room to another. Anyone who stands in my way can s*d off & create their own muddle...[/QUOTE]



:T My sentiments too, I will be joining you in a parallel quest.

lobbyludd

ooh -stirling work going on here - I've been MIA for ages - but have tackled 2 kitchen cupboards and have earmarked a box-full of not-used crockery and empty glass jars to go to the charity shop/recycling centre. I've 2 bags of clothes/toys from the kids rooms (but need to get much more out).
today I am going to tackle the tupperware cupboard that time forgot- I think a lot of it is going to go - I use some sporadically for lunches and school cooking ingredients but can pare it down a ton. Then dd will have space for her new baking equipment.

then it's just the bedrooms to try and shoehorn stuff into - I am feeling overwhelmed tbh - we've had so much incoming over the last few days, I'm feeling more than a little anxious about the amount of stuff around.

I do know that chipping away at it works though so will carry on.

Gingernutty

I received two gifts.

A gift box containing toiletries and a presentation box of 30 thank you cards.

I don't use thank you cards and I've got plenty of toiletries already.

The toiletries are naff, supermarket branded Champney's knock offs that look like they'll give me a rash. They come complete with a bright orange, 'pan scourer' puff.

I used one card to thank the sender for the lovely presents, counted out 20 cards (10 x blank and 10 x thank you) and tied them into bundles for the charity shop and they and the gift box of "eau de eczema" are in a carrier bag ready for the charity shop tomorrow.

The presentation box the cards came in is in the recycling bin.

I only feel about 2% guilty.

silvasava

Ginny - I got rid of some stuff on Free cycle & met a lovely Hindu lady, who like me likes growing things & we have remained 'Garden Friends'
I'm hoping to tackle our loft this year. 40 years of 'stuff' need to be sorted, rehomed, recycled but OUT of my house!!!
DH is tinkering with his trike so I'll wait a few weeks until he's got it back on the road & then broach the subject