KonMari 2016 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Igamogam

VJsmum wrote: »

Someone was selling reindeer food for santa - i.e. porridge mixed with glitter - for £1!!! £1!! and people were buying it.....

Some people think they are so original ( check out P!nterest. No dont you will loose hours of your life) and others are so gullible:)

VJsmum

Igamogam wrote: »

However I wish my own mother was still here so at least I could have that dilemma. She died very young, younger than I am now.

Right up and at it.....things to achieve

Same. My mother is no longer here either - if my dad had gone before her, then it would indeed have been a dilemma as she couldn't have lived alone. She was very easy to live with and would have been a dream (though OH would still have been unwilling) - and it would have involved nursing care. But coming here would have taken her from the remainder of friends and family - we didn't have the dilemma, but i wish we had.... (if that makes sense).

Igamogam

VJsmum wrote: »

we didn't have the dilemma, but i wish we had.... (if that makes sense).

Yes it does. We are fortunate (?) that neither me or OH will have elderly parents to care for but I do look at my DDs and wonder what is in store for them. We often joke about it..............:o OH and I decided a few years ago we would make sure we would look after ourselves healthwise, to reap the benefits now and later and we are slowly future proofing the house:o

Siebrie

My parents are getting on, Mum is 80, Dad 75, and we are 4 hours apart. As long as they are together, they will manage, I'm not sure what will happen when one of them goes. They are like a well-oiled machine, they share all the household tasks, go out daily for a walk, are very active socially (more so than I!), look after our dds for a few weeks (at our place, or at theirs) every year. They are clearing out their home all the time, tackling small corners, parts of wardrobes, cabinets, bookshelves. Small areas, but continually, and it shows.

They want to stay in their house as long as possible, which means that it needs to be easy to care for, and easy to navigate. No loose carpets, no items on the stairs, no fragile tables with lots of ornaments, no cluttered cabinets with fragile items falling out when something from the back is needed, good lighting everywhere, easy access to the shed for getting bicycles in and out. After a lifetime of saving things for Justin and Andy, this is not easy, but they feel the urge to leave the house in a good condition for when I need to deal with the inheritance, especially since my sister has broken off all contact with them, and it will all come down to me dealing with it (sis will still get her share of the inheritance, 50%).

Anyway, remember the etiquette-acceptable chores list I made for them? Dad has fixed the light in dds bedroom, we have swapped the two four-seater sofas I have (and it looks much better!), the dryer is fixed, a lightbulb has been switched, new fluorescent lights in the garage, dinner cooked every day by Dad, 2 child chairs taken apart for recycling, kitchen corner cabinet has been emptied and cleaned and lots of plastic has been thrown out, I've had the time to look for a cheaper car insurance (from €820 to €435!!).

Even work has decided to throw some woo my way: the Department I work for has a lot of confidential documents and it's one of my tasks to shred them (apparently I'm the only one who knows how to operate this complex machine ). I overheard the HR Department discussing renting a closed container for documents that need to be shredded, because the Head of their Department is leaving and needs to get rid of a lot of documents. This container will then be collected and some external company will do the shredding. I asked if I could put my paperwork in there as well, and they agreed! (To be honest, I would have added my paperwork anyway, but thought it more polite to ask ).

PollyWollyDoodle

MMF007 what a lovely idea about the National Trust membership - I hope you and your friend enjoy some good times together.

I sympathise with all those dealing with elderly parents. I wish mine were still around but I'm glad they didn't live to be over 100, as they would now be. Having an elderly parent move into live with you is a very big deal and I've had a couple of friends who did it and then ran into problems, one when she divorced her husband and the other when she met a new partner.

Regarding lost possessions, I'm sorry to hear about your nan's ring, GQ but I commend your family's very sensible attitude to it.

My dad died in a nursing home, his death was expected and I was on my way there to visit him when I got the news. He shared a room, and the other resident had been asked to stay in the lounge during that day. My brother met me there and to save another visit, we cleared out his possessions from the wardrobe and drawers. As we left the home, I glanced into the lounge - and there was his room-mate, wearing my dad's cardigan! it still makes me chuckle now, I think it was a genuine mistake by staff and not him trying to steal a dying man's clothes, by the way! However I'd have felt differently about something of sentimental value. You may never find out but I hope it was c-ck-up rather than theft, in your case GQ.

MMF007

Kondo round 2 - the kitchen bookshelves. Sorting out cookbooks and gardening books that live here (and, as it happens, so did some craft books ). I needed to sort DH's mini office, ie, his paperwork, glasses and keys that take a whole shelf and are balanced precariously (like the clutter he puts on the arm of the sofa. Bit of a theme there!) and the books because I need it sorted before I put my stepper in that corner.

So, everything off the 3 shelves, dusted (huh hum), held, flicked through and some were thanked and put in CS bag. Craft books placed on shelf in multipurpose room where crafting takes place!

DH's 'office' is now sorted out, new basket now holds most Stuff neatly. He will have to sort the paperwork

Cleaned dust off stepper, I know, I know, that's bad but it has been stored on its side while we did other work. It's always a game of tetris here! I have now re-assembled it, had a little go and am happy to report that I can see the telly from the action station :rotfl:

The above along with a couple of minor tidies elsewhere in the home and a kondo of another over - large item of clothing has taken all day. Oh I also made the sofa holster from an old dark brown apron! That is now ready for DH's sofa clutter :rotfl:

All in all a very pleasing day. You can really see the difference. Still more to do but it feels good!!

M

GreyQueen

Evening all.

Bit brief tonight as am at the family home, really logged on to check my email as I'd stuck something on Freegle before recalling I was away this weekend. It's stashed at the pick up point (unlocked outdoor cupboard) so, if I get anyone wanting it, I can email directions and do my freegling from clean across the region.

I am GQ, watch me mooooove.:rotfl:

Well, the skip came today, bit of a palaver, short version is that it's on the garden next door to Nan's (with consent). There were also two couples who popped check out to the bungalow as they are prosepctive tenants (the council have it up on their website so obvs will be a fast re-let).

The family offered to let them have a little look around and answered a few questions (Dad and Aunt lived nearby and watched these bungalows being built when they were children).

Bungalow is virtually empty. Carpets are up and skipped, as is old electric cooker, electician who disconnected it was offered the kitchen table and took that. Aunt has blagged a passing furniture dealer and he will come by in few days to look at the stuff in her garage.

Skip is reportedly nearly full, mainly of garden stuff. Kid Bruv went with Dad today to do the heavy lifting. There are three dining type chairs in the back bedroom, the one where woodworm had been partying like it was 1999. I suggested to Dad that they be closely examined as I couldn't believe they'd've escaped the ww's attentions, and I was right, they're wormeaten.

Well check with Aunt and then probably burn them.

Tomorrow we'll go over and do the final bits and pieces of clearance and cleaning round, probably again on Sunday, and then that's it, keys back to the Council on Monday and my family's 50 year association with that address will be over.

Gonna feel very weird.

mrs-moneypenny

Hugs GQ you are coping fantastically with everything.

Had an overnight break with Dh do have been doing lots of swimming and basically lazing about in saunas steam rooms and jacuzzis - the kid seated me for my birthday but we had to wait till now to use it. Walked into the nearest town for a nice meal at a place I'd been to before with the girls when we went wedding dress shopping so it was full of nice happy memories.

Taking my dad out for dinner tomorrow with step mum, and sister -slight apprehension as last time I saw him there was a marked deterioration in his dementia. Must be so hard for my stepmum.

Have texted work friend offering her the bunk/futon bed so waiting to hear from her.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Charly27

Hello all thought I'd look in and try and catch up as it's half term here and I can catch my breath. Hugs to all and ROA for all the sterling efforts at Kondoing. GQ sorry for your loss and all the squit about her possessions. You seem remarkably capable and together. I'm very lucky as a couple we have both sets of parents around. I didn't cope very well when outlaws stayed with us a few years back due to house fire. Especially when they exchanged words and didn't speak to each other!
Well I have been kming at home and in work. Stopped logging with mins game on day 17 but I continue to sort the carp at home and in work. I actually want to Kondo my job next year and find something which doesn't consume so much of my life. Love the little people but not the sheer volume of paperwork that they seem to require these days. The boiler was KMd in early October and DH has taken loads to the scrappy yesterday after work. I shall miss the beautiful copper cylinder that has sat outside since him and the plumber man handled it down the stairs.The new one whilst a piece of engineering sparks joy through its function rather than its appearance! Hot water is very underrated.
I am going to try to find my crafting mojo again as a very frugal time is a coming to pay for it! Off to help DSS and DDL move with baby at end of week so have to nail it at beginning of the week. I have 7 or 8 boxes of school carp. 4 are still in the boot of my car. I confess to a couple of pints and then early night.
Seems I have to go to the library today as my account details need upgrading!

MMF007

Hi Charly, welcome back! Sounds like you have been plenty busy yourself.

Highly recommend sorting work so as to have some life back, as you will gather from my sig

Would a reduction in paid hours, rather than changing jobs altogether, mean less work? I know that is not always the case!

We planned for at least 5 years before first DH then I changed our employment status, hours and income. We were in the fortunate position of having paid off the mortgage (v.small house in low cost area), having no dependants and having saved like mad to ensure finances allowed.

DH started his own business over 4 years ago and I carried on the grind until he was established then I joyfully left public service and set up my own business. Our current work provides enough income, we have enough 'annual leave' to potter off fairly regularly for a week at a time, and we can set our own timetable. It is great being able to say 'no' if a prospective client rings when you are fully booked, rather than having to do overtime for no money as an employee :rotfl:
(by fully booked I mean doing a max of a 4 day week in my case, but usually 2.5 days . DH does seasonal work and does take on more than he should in summer )

I spent some of last evening wandering round admiring the Kondo magic here, I must confess. Suddenly, after more than a year, it is REALLY coming together. I definitely have more to do, slowly, due to slight hoarder-resistance from DH:(, but it looks and FEELS so much better, I am joyous :rotfl:

A day out is planned today, via CS to drop off 8 cookbooks, to lovely National Trust gardens to see the autumn colour.