I Need A New Me

Tinkerbelle2000

Hi Bellieve

Thank you for the lovely reply. Thankfully he isn't DD's dad. She doesn't have anything to do with him so it will just be me and her. I'm hoping we can remain friends after all this as we were friends to begin with for quite a long time.

I had the same thought as you. I thought if I get a flat then I can put in for an exchange but then on the other side we might just get settled and happy in our little flat. The only reason I was thinking about a house was for storage (a loft) as I still have a lot of things at my mums.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas for storage solutions in a flat before I start thinking about furniture.

Tink xx

Tinkerbelle2000

Can't wait Kirsty. I've told DD today and she is just as excited as me.

I've already put a wanted ad on freecycle asking for anything and everything so hope I get something from there. Mainly white goods and a wardrobe.

I've already started the organising. Sorting drawers out and paperwork and making lists. Oh how I love lists and my journal is coming in very handy.

Tink xx

RosaBernicia

Happy new year Tink.

I'm glad you have made your decision and now feel it's right. However, no self-kicking please, not about flats or anything else - you have better uses for that energy and you have knowledge gained from those decisions.

One thing about storage, as you mention it - I would suggest you think through what you really, actually need and want. There's not much sense taking stuff from storage in one place to storage in another - you should be filling your new place with things that bring you joy to see and use. (The Marie Kondo book is really good on this, she's a bit extreme, but in some ways absolutely right - it might be available through the library if you don't want to buy a copy.) I moved into this garden flat from a 2 bed house with sheds and brought huge amounts of stuff I thought I would need, as I thought I'd be moving to a house again quite quickly. 3 years later I have got rid of quite a lot and although I have some things set aside for when I have more space, I pretty much know exactly what and where they are.

Glad you are enjoying your journal and your plans. I hope this new year brings you happiness.


Rosa xx

Tinkerbelle2000

Thanks Rosa. The only things that I would really like to keep are a few boxes of 'stuff' from when DD was little. Paintings she did and things she made and also her school books from primary school. My parents did it and I loved looking back on them as I got older.

I think all the flats around here have brick sheds so I might purchase some plastic boxes with lids when I can afford them. Until then they can stay at my mums lol.

So today has been quite productive in that I've sorted some drawers and also caught up with all my debts.

The grand total is now £9793.18. Not much different to when I started but my head is in a better place now.

The downside of this month is that I have a little under £100 to last the month. I have petrol and the freezer is full so I'm hoping it will last. And I can walk to work if I need to. I will just need to buy milk and bread but I work at the best place for that.

I have printed out all my planners ready for the year ahead and I've found a diary I must have bought ages ago. I'm in work tomorrow so Sunday will be spent filling it all in.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned but I've got a little allotment. I took it over just before Christmas and because of the weather not been able to get down there much. It's a blank canvas with a little shed on it so will be planning that too.

Feeling positive tonight.

Tink xx

bellevie

Hi Tinks,

I love the idea of an allotment - I'm not sure how committed Id be to sticking at it all year round. I think is something Id have to think about as DD gets older and is more into doing her own thing.

Re storage, a lot of flats tend to have good cupboard space normally enough for boxed things.

We are in a very small two bed house, ATM under our beds is the best storage also at the bottom of the wardrobe and on top of them.

I purposely got beds that are reasonably high so I could get proper storage boxes underneath them.

In hindsight I should have got DD a proper mid / high sleeper but it didn't occur to me and I'm not about to fork out for a new bed!

Deep drawers are always good, we have the malm drawers from Ikea, cheap, big and sturdy!

I agree with Rosa though, the more you can get rid off the easier it will be.
If you have some boxes already could you start packing your must keeps that you don't use daily? Its usually quite a fast turn around in social housing we expect people to take them up pretty much right away due to waiting lists.

Oooh, I'm feeling so excited for you

RosaBernicia

Hi Tink

Fab news about the allotment - free exercise and super cheap healthy food! And great that you've got all set up with your planners and a diary (sounds like a find from The Forgotten Shop (as MMSam christened it, I love this idea)).

Plastic boxes are dead easy for both indoors and in sheds (especially as they're waterproof), and you are probably working in the right place to get those too! I am considering getting some more clear plastic ones for my flat and 'lining' them with pretty wallpaper - facing outwards so you can see the pattern - they would look much better than the random selection of boxes I've got at the minute (I've seen this done and it looks fab, a very cheap but pretty idea for when you need to have storage in the house.)


Rosa xx

Tinkerbelle2000

Hi Bellieve. I'm hoping for a quick turnaround and have accepted the fact I'll take anything just for a fresh start. Who knows I might love it and it will be our forever home.

I was thinking about under bed storage and getting some boxes. I love Rosa's idea of putting paper on the inside. That way I could have them matching my room.

DD has some of those drawers already and she has already decluttered them ready for the move. I now have a big shopping bag full of stuff to eBay.

I was thinking about where I could put suitcases and I guess they could go on top of a wardrobe and be used for storage as well.

It's all coming together in my head now.

Tink xx

Tinkerbelle2000

Hi Rosa. I love the idea of The Forgotten Shop. I'm hoping there are more things I will find at my mums.

I also love the idea of the paper inside the boxes. At least that way you can store what you like without it looking messy.

I'm still excited about creating my own study nook although as I don't study anymore it will be a nook with a desk and my laptop and also my budget binder. And all my lovely stationery lol. I got one of those adult colouring books for Christmas with some nice fibre tip pens. It's amazing how destressing they are. I might just have to look for some more cheap ones.

Tink xx

Tinkerbelle2000

So today I was planning to go to the allotment but the weather is rubbish. I'm not a fair weather gardener but I've started with a cold and I'm feeling lousy. DD is looking after me though.

I've been an associate member of our local allotments for four years which meant I could go down and join in with any social events. I also ended up helping a couple of people out which gave me good experience. DD loved it when she was younger and used to come down with me but then lost interest for a while. She comes down occasionally now and I'm trying to talk her into doing a bit of a fairy garden for me. They can be amazing.

I can't wait to be able to contact the council to chase them up on the housing front. I feel a bit in the way now and I just don't want it dragging on.

I've put an advert on freecycle for some bits and pieces that I will need and someone has already contacted me. And another friend had also told me about a mutual friend who is downsizing and might have some bits and bobs I'll need. Fingers crossed.

Take care.

Tink xx

RosaBernicia

Tinkerbelle2000 wrote: »

I also love the idea of the paper inside the boxes. At least that way you can store what you like without it looking messy.

Exactly - it stuck with me as it looked great.

Tinkerbelle2000 wrote: »

I'm still excited about creating my own study nook although as I don't study anymore it will be a nook with a desk and my laptop and also my budget binder. And all my lovely stationery lol.

Sounds great - I guess I can take the 'study' off mine eventually - hopefully by the end of this year

Tinkerbelle2000 wrote: »

I got one of those adult colouring books for Christmas with some nice fibre tip pens. It's amazing how destressing they are. I might just have to look for some more cheap ones.

Tink xx

They look fab - I got a little version for Christmas and must try it out


Rosa xx