KonMari 2017 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Floss

My mum had the Hamlyn 365 recipes book - me & my brothers still make 2 dishes from it (but only 2!)
My parents gave me & ex the then-current GH cookbook in 1983 as an engagement present...ex got custody of it when we divorced as I had the GH cookery encyclopedia too by then I have my old decrepit complete Delia in paperback and DH found a hardback illustrated when clearing his parents' home so DS2 has that now.

Karmacat

kittie wrote: »

I could do with some help re photos, I have done two sweeps so far and have a beautiful collection of photos out on show, as collages in a few industrial-type bronze see-through frames. I am very happy with those and don`t want any more photos on display. It is the 18 litre `really useful` box that is bothering me. I started with three of these boxes and now have one, so made good progress. I haven`t looked at this box for a year, nor am I likely to look in future. Old sepia photos, the ones that were dumped on me, family photos that I already have on cd. The main thing has to be my wedding album, all individually on thick card in a thick padded album in a box. There are photos in there that I would have no second thoughts about removing but obviously some that I would keep forever. I am going to have to tackle this head on but don`t have much idea. No point keeping them for the children, why would they want them? They already have the photos that are most meaningful. This photo clearing, it has to be one of the hardest to KM but in my mind, it has to be done

I don't want my photos out, at least, not right now. I used to - maybe when the builders are long gone. I have one box of printed photos - no albums at all, I've never liked them - but many more digital photos. I *do* look at the digital ones, but I've realised, I don't look at the printed photos at all. Never. That might be a project for over the winter - a lot of them are scanned, but I don't think all of them are.

As far as your children are concerned, kittie (I know you've posted since the post above, sorry) I'd ask them, if I were in your shoes, rather than make assumptions about what they want (though maybe you've already checked with them?).

GreyQueen wrote: »

I'm not sure what my home library would say about me; books on nature, on thrifty living, an apocalyptic novel, some historical fiction and a few other odds & sods......... I expect we've got a right one here would be the conclusion of any onlooker.:p

kittie, photos are hard. Following Nan's death last October, some of the family photos came to Mum and Dad and some to Aunt. They've been going through them putting them in albums and labelling where they can. Too much time has passed for group shots of working men around traction engines in the early-mid 20th century (our people worked the land including the threshing engines) to be conclusively identified, although some names have been put to some men in these shots, but never all of them. These things might be of interest to the descendants (if any) of the men pictured or to local history societies.

As far as the older ones are concerned, printed on card... I'm a genealogist, they're staying. And when I get a similar set from another relative, sometimes there's overlap, and I find out who a person is - thats brilliant

A good way of labelling photos is to write lightly on the back of them with something called a chinagraph pencil. Better that they be album'd but we all know how that ends sometimes and at least a picture keeps its writing with it.

I never knew what that word referred to, thanks for this

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Karmacat

A huge personal win for me today

- my sister helped me move a bed from a place I didn't like to a place I do like

- space is now ready for the builders.

- I have a completely new mattress for that bed (still in its plastic) but the old one was going to be hanging around for me to give away on freegle. We got a proper look at it - nasty! I'd be ashamed to give it away, let alone sell it. To the tip.

- while looking for the allan key (substituted a big chunky screwdriver, yay!) we found a very old router, with lead. Nope. Nopetopus - it's gone the way of the tip.

- and something I already mentioned on here as a win, but never actually did - the yuck dressing gown has been cut into pieces so my sister can hem it into smaller pieces and give them to her daughter, for the daughter's rabbit to chew

GreyQueen

Nice one, Karmakat. Amused at the idea of a bunnie with a taste for towelling, never imagined one liking cloth.

I was busy after work dealing with 'the in-tray' - to-be-filed pile which roosts on the top of my CRT monitor. Gwd knows how I'll cope with a more modern pooter with a flat screen.

Anyway, all filed. The shredder was dragged out of its hidey-hole and a month's or more shreddings done in one fell swoop and it has been returned. The shredder is a very slimline model and where it lurks, it has to share a plug socket with something else.

After a lot of faddling about, I worked out that it's just plain easier to sling receipts etc into a small basket and deal with them once a month.

I started one of the books of the series (the second) and it's working out OK for me thus far not having read the first. I'm feeling antsy about unread books about the place, so easy to acquire more than I can read in a timely manner, particularly with 4 for £1 or 3 for 99p deals abounding. Get thee behind me, satin!

PollyWollyDoodle

I can't say painting the lounge was fun, it wasn't, but it has been a whole lot easier than any previous decorating I've done. Firstly because I knew where the decorating stuff was. It was all in one crate, and everything in there was usable - no dried up paintbrushes and crusty rollers. It has saved me time and money through not buying doubles of things or having to make an emergency dash to the DIY store.

Secondly, clearing the room was relatively easy as there are fewer ornaments, no bags of half-done projects (nb these still exist, but are gradually reducing in number and have a proper home!). It's also been a great opportunity to review items like books, and the photos I have had out on display. Some of friends who have moved on from my life, some family one which are outdated, and so on. I can't wait for it all to dry, tomorrow the curtains go back up, new lampshades go on and I have a good clean up before replacing the furniture.

For anyone saving old clothes for painting, I recommend you bin them and get a cheap pair of overalls. I've been saving these, which belonged to my late father. He's been gone 14 years, so Justin definitely had a hand in them still being around! It's the first time I've used them, and I love them - I can wear normal clothes underneath, they cover everything up and are easy to move in, and I feel much more workmanlike* once they're on, and they're more flattering than the usual torn t shirt and saggy leggings that I used to use.

* this is illusory. I really suck at painting. I'm just hoping that once the curtains are up and pictures etc back on the wall, any streaks or patches won't show!

[Deleted User]

Karmacat wrote: »

As far as your children are concerned, kittie (I know you've posted since the post above, sorry) I'd ask them, if I were in your shoes, rather than make assumptions about what they want (though maybe you've already checked with them?).

Oh yes karmacat, they each have a full set, on cds, of every photo, including the sepia old ones and we made blurb books for all the family, including extended family. One blurb book concerned ancestry, my mothers line was traced back to 1350 and included twins who died in the black death. Farmers, horticulturists and bakers. The photos I am dealing with now are only my own physical photos. My fathers family had a family member shot by the kgb in front of his wife and son. My young dgs thinks his family history is so interesting, not like his friends lol

pavlovs_dog

We have a digital photo frame which is a great alternative to having lots of photos on display. You can set it to freeze on one image or cycle through them on a rotation basis. It is a great conversation piece when we have visitors.

I have also given them as gifts, and they have been well received.

[Deleted User]

I believe that I have done all the active KM that I can do, I have no more sorting to do apart from a little in the big shed, fertlisers etc and tbh they can just go into a box for winter storage. I have covered my garden benches, emptied whatever plant pot I can, yet retaining the nice foliage in the back garden. There are no pots or old tubs to get rid of, no tools to re-home, either garden or workshop.

One dd is temporarily renting while looking for a new home, very tricky as there is nothing for sale. I have a few bits for her but they are out of the way. I think I have gone through every nook and cranny in my house, so I have to stop thinking active KM until after winter, when my clothes will get another sweep.

I have to say that KM is a mixed emotions journey but the outcome can be much happiness and free flowing energy or chi to connect us with earth energy. I know that I have given a lot to the cs but I have also had unexpected cash windfalls, two so far and now I am expecting another, didn`t realise until I did my tax return recently

Next small `job` is to up the feng shui in my bathroom, nothing needs clearing but it is a bland palette. White with beige tiled floor. Probably desirable to a potential buyer but I want temporary colour and I am thinking large rug, not near the loo or shower, not a thick fluffy rug, probably a kitchen type rug, like the rugs I have in my kitchen, three and I love them, coloured chequerboard effect, soft polypropylene underfoot and easy to clean. Some studying is needed today, to get the right colour palette. Its a sixth house area so I need earthy colours like terracotta, peach, no blue/black colours,and the first step will be to test my kitchen rug colours in there because the kitchen is also sixth house and the colours are perfect

PollyWollyDoodle

Kittie, you're an inspiration - I don't know where you get your energy from! I swear by Turtle mats, they are expensive but can be washed again and again. My experience with other mats is that they don't stand up to being washed.

wort

Grunnie can I as which pound shop? Please. My dd2 keeps borrowing mine it would be great stocking filler for her. :T