KonMari 2018 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Wizzbang

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

Thank you for those tips, I haven't really questioned the price before - I've just been buying it from my nearest supermarket. Which is Waitrose .... and as I type that, I feel a bit stupid because obviously they're not going to be the cheapest! I usually do a big shop at a discount supermarket and just buy milk and veg at Waities, it is literally five minutes walk away. Quite why I've never looked elsewhere for cat litter, I don't know.

As I type this IC (really must settle on a name!) is head butting my arm. He's really settled in, and I'm very happy.

ScotinLondon I am a terrible procrastinator. I do think timetabling, as MMF007 suggests, is key - don't try to do too much at once, and programme in some breaks. Often it's not that because the task is difficult, we put it off because we're scared of failing or we anticipate that we are going to feel negative emotions. Build in rewards, eg revise for two hours and then watch an episode of your current box set. And use your phone or a timer - my weakness is thinking 'I've worked really hard, so now I'll have a cuppa' and finding an hour later, I'm still reading blogs or catching up on here!

We kept the names both our rescue cats had been given at cats protection. So we have a Ghost because he came into them at Halloween (he was a kitten). And a Rosie, she was 2 so had presumably been named by the previous owner(s). They both suit their names well. With my previous cat, I spent a very long time thinking of a suitable name for her and came up with Willow!

Sorry for jumping in slightly off topic, I can't resist when the subject of cats comes up. But to add my two-penneth to the thread - I read the Kon Marie book at the end of 2015, you can read my full book review here: https://minimalistexposure.wordpress.com/2015/12/05/the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-by-marie-kondo/ but I really think she's crazy. I've been a minimalist since 2012 and prefer to just keep tackling it steadily. I believe it's like dieting, doesn't work - you need a lifestyle change that you then completely change your habits to maintain. That's why I don't agree with The Minimalists challenge as a method either. But perhaps some people need that kick start?

Floss

Our Whisky prefers her covered tray - we always shut the door when going to the loo so why shouldn't she?!

GreyQueen

Loving all the cat stories, what colour. markings is IC?

Had a productive convo this aft with the Red X to ask if they could take the glass plate/ turntable out of the dead microwave? Very much so, and the little plastic thing with the rollers on it that fits underneath and even the cable (!) I was pleased and astonished, I shall be stripping the re-usable parts out of it before it goes for recycling (they can recycle cables for money, apparently, and people ask for the plate and spinning thing. Who knew?

I hate waste but I think microwaves are pretty much unrepairable and this one dates from 1997/98, so doesn't owe anybody anything.

It occurs to me that I may have been putting some stuff into the appliance recycling at the tip which could have been recycled for the cause, so will be sure to ask in future.

Hope everyone is having a good day, GQ xx

maddiemay

3 lightly worn, expensive to purchase bras and a lovely warm grey flannel LA maxi skirt which is almost 2 sizes too big for me now (sobs quietly) dropped into local dog rescue charity shop, they do such good work, are very appreciative of donations and price things much lower than most of the national ones here. Expensive well heeled retired and county types and a lot of tourists, which puts things out of the reach of the rest of the population, min wage, just basic pensions etc.

While I was there I spied a 7" spring form cake tin, which I could have done with yesterday as I had to make a mincemeat cake for OH in a 8" one. Not premium quality, but not tinny either so a snip at £1.50.

Slinky

GreyQueen wrote: »

Loving all the cat stories, what colour. markings is IC?

Had a productive convo this aft with the Red X to ask if they could take the glass plate/ turntable out of the dead microwave? Very much so, and the little plastic thing with the rollers on it that fits underneath and even the cable (!) I was pleased and astonished, I shall be stripping the re-usable parts out of it before it goes for recycling (they can recycle cables for money, apparently, and people ask for the plate and spinning thing. Who knew?

I hate waste but I think microwaves are pretty much unrepairable and this one dates from 1997/98, so doesn't owe anybody anything.

It occurs to me that I may have been putting some stuff into the appliance recycling at the tip which could have been recycled for the cause, so will be sure to ask in future.

Hope everyone is having a good day, GQ xx

We have a business about 15 miles away which repairs microwaves, you could try a t'internet search in your area just in case.

GreyQueen

I'll let it go, it was my late Nan's and was saved from being skipped when we cleared her rented bungalow 18 months ago; unless it could be repaired with change from a fiver, it's not economic for me to fix something which I never bought new and have no intentions of replacing. But thank you for the suggestion.

Been on the new-to-me lottie. No real surprises as it's right beside my existing allotment. Have been picking rubbishy stuff out of the long grass (mainly old flowerpots, plant trays, cut down pop bottles used as cloches). I have consolidated this mess into a broken trug and will, later on, wash up and recycle all the plastics, but this is a very long way from being my first priority.

I have started constructing the first burn pile, over some knackered trellis propped up into an A-frame. I know from experience that this shape is excellent for drying things out and burns merrily.

A lot of nasties, like the bramble canes, will be reduced to productive woodash by the end of the month. It's a good way to get woody carp out of there.

camelot1001

During the recent snow cat litter was in great demand round here to use instead of grit. A local taxi driver keeps a bag of it in his boot!

Igamogam

Wizzbang wrote: »

Sorry for jumping in slightly off topic, I can't resist when the subject of cats comes up. But to add my two-penneth to the thread - I read the Kon Marie book at the end of 2015, you can read my full book review here: https://minimalistexposure.wordpress.com/2015/12/05/the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-by-marie-kondo/ but I really think she's crazy. I've been a minimalist since 2012 and prefer to just keep tackling it steadily. I believe it's like dieting, doesn't work - you need a lifestyle change that you then completely change your habits to maintain. That's why I don't agree with The Minimalists challenge as a method either. But perhaps some people need that kick start?

Oh Wizzbang............I loved your review and you said exactly what I thought when I read it (only managed 2 thirds as I was beginning to shout at it). Wish I had got it from the library - wasted hard earned cash on it:mad: However I did do the sock drawer thing..................and 3 years on it is still in the same......well organised but I havent applied it to anything else - - just made me realise I needed to get rid of stuff and its taking me so long as I am being very responsible about it - could have hired a couple of skips and done it in a weekend but I pleased to say everything has been found a new owner or been recycled or indeed used up - only that that has died in storage has gone into the bin. So maybe reading 2 thirds did give me the kickup the backside I needed..............but I haven't really kept to KM principles - dont think I could talk to my possessions;)

PollyWollyDoodle

IC is black with white socks. He is also long haired. He'd been with me about five minutes before I saw a tuft of hair on the carpet, and recalled that after my previous longhair died, I swore never, ever again would I have one ... gonna be doing a lot of hoovering in future I think! He's lovely.

Each to their own, Wizzbang - this is the first method that's worked for me. I think you take from it what you want, nobody says you have to follow it to the letter.

Pooky

Polly - long haired black and white cats always have the most amazing personalities. We lost our huge ball of black and white fluff last year and I really miss the hugs (yes proper paw each side of the neck and pulling you in, hugs) and the sheer mischievous nature he had.

I have never read the book, I!!!8217;m just taking the principles that work for me (getting rid of clutter and grouping stuff together logically) and the rest can fall besides the way side.