KonMari 2017 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

PollyWollyDoodle

VJsmum, sorry to hear about your dad.

I grew up in the 1960s ... lino on the bedroom floor, so you never got out of bed without finding your slippers first! Unheated bathroom, ice on the inside of the Windows, and coal fires which only heated the side of you nearest the fire. Yet - curiously - I don't remember feeling particularly cold! When I see friends' children wandering around the house in shorts and t-shirts in midwinter I wonder what their heating bills must be like.

Thank you for the tip about the lights, Charis.

Slinky

Yes good tip for the lights Charis. I've got 3 sets that go back into their original boxes, two of which the bulbs are held in place by cardboard slots. Don't know how a bulb broke but they're 20 years old so don't owe me anything. Another set is wound around a large piece of cardboard and the other outside sets OH loops carefully and they're placed into a separate box.

Patience when packing them away makes for a much more enjoyable experience when unpacking the following year.

Floss

DH "manages" the Christmas deccies - he keeps all the lights in their original box and has utilised several empty choccie boxes for the decorations. We have an eaves cupboard just outside one of the attic bedrooms which is the Christmas & wrapping cupboard - all the decorations live in there, along with wrapping paper, cards, gift boxes & bags, ribbon & bows, all nicely organised & regularly tidied

[Deleted User]

I am loving the fairy lights solution to tidyness. I decided to sort all my dvds yesterday afteronon and another very heavy load is out. Got rid of all those I don`t want to watch, had a quick look at all of them, just a quick view to get the sense

I had lots and lots of free dvds, with newspapers and many have gone but I still have a lot and will gradually get rid as and when I have watched them, unless they are classics

catshark88

I have plastic boxes for each set of lights and for the more breakable baubles. We got them out of the attic yesterday and I discovered "dear" husband had bunged the lot in together, on top of each other, last year.

I don't think the fact that nothing was tangled, or broken, is reason enough to forgive him (although the mulled wine he made might be).
:rotfl:

catshark88

kittie wrote: »

I am loving the fairy lights solution to tidyness. I decided to sort all my dvds yesterday afteronon and another very heavy load is out. Got rid of all those I don`t want to watch, had a quick look at all of them, just a quick view to get the sense

I had lots and lots of free dvds, with newspapers and many have gone but I still have a lot and will gradually get rid as and when I have watched them, unless they are classics

There's something particularly satisfying about rehoming a big load of dvds isn't there!

Mind you, within 24 hours of mine going, the kids were asking to see something which had just gone (& they didn't know we had). S0d's Law lives on!

[Deleted User]

Very right catshark.

I started to watch the first of my cracker series last night, blimey I cannot believe how very different they are to todays tv. Very very un pc, mild swearing but the language to other people and the crudity! It was eye opening, I remember when we watched these programmes on tv and enjoying them but they would definitely not pass muster today. I have a lot to watch but they are out when I have finished

I am liking that I am making an effort to watch the dvds before getting rid of several. Something nice to do in the evenings when tv is utterly boring, as is radio 4 and LBC, keeps banging on and on and audible makes me fall asleep over my knitting

A small pass yet again, through my wardrobe as I have found another brand that truly fits, qvc again but heyho. Better trousers, not baggy around the butt and thighs. One in and two out is my motto, I can do that

maddiemay

I have been reverse kondoing and spending money this week, OH and I live in a small market town, no big supermarkets or bargain shops. Been lacking in energy for several months so couldn't be bothered with any shopping expeditions (minimum 52 miles on not very quick roads). Yesterday we had a foray to nearby town and I think were quite restrained:

New electric kettle to replace the one that died a few weeks ago (have been using a tatty one we like to keep as a spare for emergencies). 1 frying pan to replace existing where the non stick was wearing, 2 pairs of leggings and some socks for me and new nics for OH. Old leggings, socks and nics will be ragged, pan will go to recycling centre and as neither of us could think of anything we would like as a Christmas present, he gets the frying pan and me the kettle, result 2 happy people and no unwanted stuff entering the house.

Karmacat

maddiemay wrote: »

New electric kettle to replace the one that died a few weeks ago (have been using a tatty one we like to keep as a spare for emergencies). 1 frying pan to replace existing where the non stick was wearing, 2 pairs of leggings and some socks for me and new nics for OH. Old leggings, socks and nics will be ragged, pan will go to recycling centre and as neither of us could think of anything we would like as a Christmas present, he gets the frying pan and me the kettle, result 2 happy people and no unwanted stuff entering the house.

I love that :j

I do find some people don't get it, they think that a present should be something that's purely decorative, or at least isn't needed rather than wanted ... but that way lies madness, for me anyway!

I've been "shopping" from my curtain stash (there was only the one pair, which I've now recirculated into use) ... I've realised I want more privacy at the porch, so instead of having voiles I'm having ordinary curtains. Ironed one of the pair tonight to see if it will do, and I think it will, I think it just about covers the letter box, which is the important thing. Very happy about that.

PollyWollyDoodle

I'm feeling very strange. It's still five days before Christmas, even though I don't host people at home I'm usually frantic at this point with things that need doing.

I did have a long day yesterday, baking some gluten-free and dairy-free biscuits which I'd promised someone, and today is going to be busy as I have to pay three visits in three totally different directions so there'll be a lot of time in the car. And that's it - yes, I need to pack my bag and so on, I've got some work to complete but everything is posted, bought, wrapped and made. I may even find time to do my nails before Sunday night!

I have NEVER felt this calm before Christmas. I rather like it!