Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2017

silvasava

JackieO - many years ago I bought a double toilet roll holder ( outnumbered by DH & 2 sons who never seemed to put a new one on. The said holder is like a chrome bar with large end caps that are smaller than the diameter of the loo roll centre so you just slip a new one on - no fiddly springs or clips. The weight of the loo roll keeps it in place - mine were by Bristan but they are expensive now. EBay have one by Bremmerman that's very similar and a lot cheaper. I must admit I'd never consider using any other type now!

[Deleted User]

silvasaver that sounds excellent and would save me a lot of messing about with the blessed allen key :):) its one of those fiddly jobs that has to be done and takes ages to do :)
resumed my decluttering and just finished doing all the drawers in my desk,didn't realise how much junk was in there.I even had some 'welcome to your new home cards tucked in there from 1995 when I moved in !!! What on earth was I keeping those for :):)
I am being ruthless now and I am getting so good at binning this rubbish at last ,still haven't found the blessed kindle though I am about to attack the huge pile of crafting bits They will go to a local primary school as they are too good to bin :):) I am still finding books though and have filled yet another bag to go to the charity shop.This is minimising on a grand scale now :):)

dND

Hi all, :hello:

Well, the end of 2017 is upon us and 2018 awaits and while I’ve not been very active on the thread I thought I’d give my end of year report.

First up, I’m still here! That’s sad in that I haven’t made it back to the UK yet, but good that I’ve stretched my meagre resources to make the year-end. Next year though….. :eek: but I have learnt a lot this year and MMM’ing has been to the fore. All in all, I feel much stronger and have set a target to be back in the UK by July.

This year I have Made Do whenever I can. I’ve been going through everything, all be it a bit at a time as I have found it very overwhelming, and surprised myself with some of the things I have found in the depths of my cupboards.

Using the above ‘finds’ I have made a lot more from scratch. Within the kitchen this has also worked well with my goal to reduce even further my consumption of commercially prepared food. I’ve finally made my own condensed milk – bye-bye N*stl* -and my latest was making salted caramel peanuts that I knew were dairy free and wheat free, for a friend. They were so simple to make and weren’t smothered in toffee or over-salted and were a great hit and I will make them again.


As I don’t want to buy more stuff here that I just have to ship back and, I don’t want warrantees based here, I have been keeping things going by Mending as much as is safe or possible. I’ve also discovered that there are things I don’t need to replace, as once I don’t have them, I realise I can use other things instead.

And that leads to the Minimizing. I am a hoarder and the minimizing process has been long and hard. First up I’ve had to understand why I find it so hard to let things go. In my case I believe it was because we moved so much during my childhood; my possessions were the only security/continuity I had. Add to that, the not wanting to add to landfill by just chucking things out and you have the perfect storm.

The only way I’ve managed to get rid of stuff was first by skimming it – that is get rid of the rubbish, like old envelopes that are tucked in with cards, broken boxes etc. On revisiting it, and after reading a couple of books that helped me identify why I keep things and that suggested other ways of keeping the memories without keeping the clutter, I’m into some serious downsizing. My books and craft stuff, however, are still here but I’ve begun passing on the things that I know I’ll really never use.

So onwards and upwards into 2018. I do hope everyone has a 2018 that is full of love, happiness and fulfilment. :happylove

Love to you all and thank you for being there in 2017. Deborah xxx

mrs-moneypenny

Ive just finished a cross stitch of George Michael made entirely from stash including the frame I put it in, it's been given to a friend who was really pleased with it.

Plan to join in more fully with the thread in the new year

very best wishes to all

[Deleted User]

Just spent most of the day minimising I can't believe how much rubbish was in my little study its only about 8x10 (really the small box room/ bedroom ) and this afternoon I have salvaged 5 bags for the cs and 4 to go to the tip.Annoyingly I seem to have about 5 or 6 empty CD cases of CDs I really like I think they have been 'borrowed' by my DGS and not returned I shall be having a chat with them about it
Great feeling and I even sorted out a huge pile of crafting stuff that is going to go as well.Only have two more boxes to sort then that room is done ,but my spare bedroom is the next on the list as that too seems to be full of clutter The worse thing about moving to a smaller house when we downsized is there is no room to keep much,so its gotta go while I am in the mood :)Still sneezing and sluttering so I may stay at home over the New Year I'll have to see how I feel and both DD's are saying Oh Mum you can't be alone on NYE, but I really don't mind as I am getting such a lot done at the moment and having this cold may be my opt out :):)

silvasava

Thanks for the update dND - did wonder how you were getting on but I'm only an occasional poster so thought I'd missed posts!
I'm continuing to MMM where possible and be objective about what we need and keep. My aims in 2018 will be to make our home less labour intensive as DH and I are now in our early 70's and fit and active, obviously we want to stay that way for as long as possible but I'm thinking that perhaps in 5 years or so our energy levels may not be the same. The loft is slowly being cleared, I've got rid of some large heavy furniture both in the garden and indoors. I'm running down my freezer stocks ( I have 2 uprights and a fridge freezer!!) & will probably get rid of one. Just wish DH was totally on board though - a double length garage and a large brick shed with a mezzanine floor is full of tools of all types - but of course he needs every one lol!
I wish all of you a happy and healthy New Year and plenty of small victories to keep you going! xxx

house_elf

Happy New Years Eve!

Make do: DD wants her hair dyed for New Years Eve celebrations. Her friend has agreed to do it for her. I sent them off to friends house with hair dye, old towel, brush and gloves. :rotfl:

Mend: No time for mending yesterday, but DH did go to visit DMiL and fixed two lamps.

Minimise: Cleaning the fridge. Taking ages, as I just put a shelf or drawer in the dishwasher every time I run it. Chucked out various bits and bobs, a few treats for the hen, and cooked up lots of veg for last night tea. Hopefully, I can move the fridge back into position today, and have more room in the kitchen!

Tried the declutter 2016 in 2016, but got so far behind everyone else, it became a bit stressful, may try again.

Have a great New Years Eve

ScarletRibbons

I minimised 2 pairs of shoes to the CS, but have to admit I spent £3 on a leather handbag in really good condition.

silvasava

Got a mend today - DGD wants me to shorten her trousers for a party tonight!

misstara

Happy new year everyone. I've put up a new thread for 2018 - can't post a link unfortunately as I'm on my phone.