Simplifying Life

ecoelle

hi there guys been away for a while as back at work after xmas and it's been hellish. I think you may have been referring to me with regard to the free wood...almost feel famous...of course you may not have been referring to me at all moany, me and my big head! I have a multi fuel burner but only ever burn wood and i get it free from a wood yard near me. They just throw it in the skip otherwise! I think you have to be prepared to bag or box it yourself but i find it a good cheap way to heat the house, and it's good for the old recycling! happy decluttering all!

rosieben

moanymoany wrote: »

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I have some lovely Peter Rabbit curtains bought from the charity shop. I wonder if anyone would like some shopping totes made out of them. I will have to ask.

A couple of day ago I found the Peter Rabbit curtains from my dgd's bedroom, totes would be a great idea :j would also be great for bags for littlies - book bags for the library, or maybe little bags for carrying to and from nursery school?

Rikki started a thread with a link to a great tote pattern, check it out here
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=670839

I love the shape of that one, and as Rikki says because the handles are part of the bag they will be stronger.

Hi Ellidee :wave:

Rabbit

What a brilliant thread and so close to my heart. :T

We gave up a busy life nearly 2 years ago and in that time have got rid of tons of stuff. I can't believe how much clutter we had. The majority of it we donated and have found that good things have come back to us (not in money) but definitely of value.

I am in the middle of another declutter, once you get the bug there is no stopping you!

My personal quest for 2008 is to travel light, that is in my heart (not worrying so much) and with possessions. To take life as it comes and enjoy the important things.

Have you noticed how miserable most people look when out at the retail parks 'shopping' ? most of them driving expensive cars, in nice clothes yet not a smile to be shared. It's a shame.

Good luck to you all on your individual journeys, may you all find happiness and peace in your hearts. :wave:

rosieben

Rabbit wrote: »

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My personal quest for 2008 is to travel light, that is in my heart (not worrying so much) and with possessions. To take life as it comes and enjoy the important things.
...

I read a wonderful quote somewhere (sorry no idea where) about wearing this world lightly and I think thats what I'm aiming for; as you say, its all about being light in your heart

Ellidee

Hi Rosie I've been meaning to catch up with you, hope you are ok ? A few days ago you mentioned the book Feel the Fear & Do it Anway. My copy is 20 years old eek :eek: . That is a fab book, but one of my favourite, more recent purchases is called Life Lessons by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. I have bought copies for several friends too because I feel it is one of those books that will help everybody. So if you can find a copy I heartily recommend it. Maybe you could try the Library or Greenmetropolis.

rosieben

Ellidee wrote: »

Hi Rosie I've been meaning to catch up with you, hope you are ok ? A few days ago you mentioned the book Feel the Fear & Do it Anway. My copy is 20 years old eek :eek: . That is a fab book, but one of my favourite, more recent purchases is called Life Lessons by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. I have bought copies for several friends too because I feel it is one of those books that will help everybody. So if you can find a copy I heartily recommend it. Maybe you could try the Library or Greenmetropolis.

Hi Ellidee :j I'm fine thanks, and hope you are enjoying the new year? I just checked and my copy of Susan Jeffers is 1987 and I paid £3.95! Worth that and so much more, its one book I will never willingly part with' I'll keep a look out for the Kubler-Ross.

I'm still in the midst of sorting my bookshelves, got rid of so many self help already, Stuart Wilde etc, still have a few of Norman Vincent Peale but I think I'm ready to let them go now. Books have weighed me down for so many years. I'm being very selective about what I keep now.

I hadnt thought of the WRVS and RNIB etc for helping housebound.;)

Olliebeak

On the subject of local libraries -

Our local authority have a really good library service (but we ARE part of a Metropolitan Borough so maybe a little more money available than some smaller LA's). We have a great Mobile Library service that tours all the housing estates and sheltered accommodations on a fortnightly basis. The guy has an on-board computer so that he can place orders for books for his customers while they are waiting to be served - that way they can see that he's done it.

We also have a Home Visiting service that is strictly for people who are housebound and/or partially sighted. On the first visit, the lady takes a note of any favourite authors, genres etc and then brings around 10 books a fortnight - keeping a record of what she has brought for the customer each time. She has either large-print books or the 'talking books' for the partially-sighted customers. They also have many of those audio-books on tape cassette or cd as lots of older people like to listen to those while ironing/in bed/when 'resting their eyes!'

As the 'ageing generations' change, I wonder if, in the future, they will bring an assortment of DS games etc with them - don't see why not! My mother, 77, loves her electronic sudoku and her 'hand-held comp' game! I'm all for whatever keeps the brain active for as long as possible!

tooties

Morning all,
still decluttering here and working on the household journal/organiser thingy
not much to report apart from lots of free space eventually, is it just me or does the room your decluttering look worse and a real mess for ages whilst the decluttering process is happening? i almost give up when it gets to this stage thats why im asking?
have a great day everyone
tooties

Janeryan

Here's another thought for simplifying

I was going through my jewellry box and have picked out several very pretty pieces that I was given when I was younger but no longer wear as they are a bit "too young" for me now-for example I have a silver necklace with a 21 charm on it which I was given on my 21st- so I have decided to start passing these onto to either nieces or daughters of friends who are very close to me.The 21st necklace will be winging it's way to New Zealand as a 21st present to a dear friends daughter.Hopefully it will mean more to her than a cheque which is what I would normally send as I will explain that it was given to me on my 21st.

Also another friends daughter will be 18 next month and she is in line for a pearl necklace that I was given at 18(my dear DH gave me another more sophisticated string of pearls when I turned 30 so am happy to pass the first set on-I read somewhere that pearls need to be worn to maintain thier lustre)Agagin I will tell her that is was an 18th present to me which I am now passing on to her.

Obviously there will be some items that although I probably will never wear I will still keep for sentimental reasons.

BTW does anyone know of a use for broken or odd bits of jewellry(mainly ear-ings and the backs from them_

Ellidee

Janeyran that is a lovely idea. I know I would much prefer to receive a gift that has some thought, meaning and association as well as intrinsic value.