A year or so ago my handyman redid all of my closets, one at a time. Each time, I thinned things out as I emptied each closet and again as I put things back.
It took a few earthquakes for me to sort my various cupboards. I had to empty things out as all my rooms, except the cubical the toilet is in, had to be repainted because the plaster on the walls had cracked. It was only cosmetic, rather than structural damage.
Oxfam bookshop has a 'buy 3 books, get the 4th free' offer, therefore 4 books purchased from the Oxfam bookshop ...
... and another 2 from Waterstones across the road.
Not a success in terms of decluttering but I enjoyed myself and now have plenty of reading material for a few weeks. (And I'm blaming the shocking state of my local public libraries - across the whole borough, they only stock a couple of Toni Morrison titles - Beloved, which I've already read, and one of her newest ones. No The Bluest Eye, no Song Of Solomon. Hence, a trip to a bookshop was essential.)
I’ve spent the past year getting my aunt’s house cleared and renovated - so the decluttering largely consisted of rescuing items (mainly the photos and the older books) before the builders put them in a skip. Most of the ornaments went to Mum and some of the china; the rest of the crockery is (I hope) going to a friend’s work colleague who wants old teacups for a vintage tea party at her wedding.
Mum has now died and I have another house to sort, with the assistance of my brother. This one will be much worse. Both my parents were hoarders and we have just realized that Mum has has a few years of putting everything into piles and not investigating what had happened to anything that fell off the top.
I have just discovered a volunteer-run natural asset near here, which sells retro-type stuff in its gift shop. That is where the posh china from the Dowager's house is going - I really hope it will help with their funding. I'm trying to find out if the linen, everyday china etc could be used by a woman's refuge local to her, as I'd like it to be useful. But it seems a never-ending activity...
My brother and sister-in-law are currently doing the final clearance of Dad's house (the sale is to be concluded on Friday): they've taken some things to a charity called ReStart, and they're getting the removal people to take some of the bigger stuff there as well.
The whole process is being helped by the fact that the buyers want to keep quite a lot of what they endearingly refer to as the "retro"* furniture (and the piano), which will make the movers' task all the easier.
* i.e. dated - most of it's from the 50s and 60s and I wouldn't give it house room!
Seriously, I couldn't believe it when my sister told me the things they wanted to have included in the sale. I could understand the piano - it's not a bad instrument if in need of tuning, and they have a couple of young kids who they may well want to encourage to take lessons - but some of the other stuff ... crikey!
Oh, yes. Some buyers (often egged on by their agents) get very demanding indeed. A few years ago, friends of mine got a contract that included some valuable family heirlooms. When they pointed out that the stuff had been handed down for 150 years, the response was, "Do you want to sell your house, or not?" Despite the fact that this was during a recession, my friends decided on "not."
Oh, we're delighted - neither I nor my siblings want any of the stuff, and frankly it's not worth tuppence, and would just make the removal costs higher. I understand from my brother that the removal men are going to charge by the hour/day rather than by quantity, so it's probably going to save us money!
When I moved here the blinds and curtains were included, as were the specialised taps in the laundry. The woman who had grown up in the house asked if she could have some of the Christmas lily bulbs that her Dad had planted and nurtured with loving care, (all good because I hate Christmas lilies) and left me the washing machine in exchange.
If I have to move (as opposed to my wish to be carried out feet-first) the things I will miss most are the hand painted bathroom tiles show picture of NZ birds that I had installed in the bathroom. They were only about $300, but they give me such pleasure.
Huia, if it is any consolation, get some nice photos of those tiles taken now and frame them and hang them somewhere/anywhere and mark on them that they are to go with you if you must ever move. If I lived closer, I would do that right now for you!
I am not very good with technology and my phone does weird things with photos, but I know where I can get some assistance to use my tablet to take the photos.
I have what is potentially a lovely study / single bedroom. But there are piles of paper and boxes cluttering the floor. I have three large bookcases, all full, and forty neatly labelled box files. I painted the box files with the same paint as the wall, so they blend in nicely. Plus I have four shelves and four drawers above my desk for stationery. And I have filled the space under the bed with drawers containing more books, and wrapping paper. And I have three magazine holders, also all full, also painted to match the wall.
The problem is that this isn't sufficient storage (!)
One minor snag is that I am now regarded as the repository for old paperwork connected to the church. For example, when the Women's Guild folded, I got the paperwork. So it's not all my stuff. However, if I sorted the papers that are mine, the church stuff would be less of an issue.
Our loft is small and already jam packed.
I am setting myself the challenge of getting my study clutter free by the end of October.
Beg, borrow or steal a scanner. The chances are that the Women's Guild will never need the paperwork, and it will be perfectly happy on the cloud.
Then beg, borrow or steal a shredder, and give away lots of hamster bedding.
In instalments.
Tempted to come down the A14 and help to get away from my stuff.
The Women's Guild paperwork would involve a lot of scanning. The minutes go back to the 1930s and include gems such as the cancellation of the 1939 jumble sale because everyone had already given all their jumble to the Jewish refugees, and there was no more jumble to be had in the village.
Actually, I should make a list of what's there and approach the archives.
Excellent! That's today's task. Catalogue the Women's Guild stuff.
(It could be worse - I've had to vigorously fend off suggestions that a large C18th marble memorial be relocated from the church boiler room into my garage, on the basis that I was the only member of the church who cares about C18th marble memorials. It's still in the boiler room, but it can only be a matter of time before I have to fend it off again.)
I am still waiting for my joiner to give me a date to come and fix the cupboard and shelving in my new study. He said September but time is running out. Just bad timing if he comes this next week as my husband will be away, so not only will I have to take time off my voluntary work to be here, but I will not have an extra pair of hands to help transport large items upstairs. Arthritis is making my wrist painful too.
Oh to have it all moved, and get rid of what I don’t have room for!
You've probably heard me joke about the bonfire I would have for all of D's organ periodicals if he died.
Well ...
I'm honestly not sure where I'm going to start, but as my sister's coming over next week for the funeral, I need to get my finger out and clear them out to make way for a bed in the spare room. In the spirit of what D would want, I've offered them to an old gentleman who used to come to his recitals, but I haven't heard back from him and I'd be surprised if he wanted them.
Oh well, at least next Friday is a paper recycling collection day ...
Perhaps the next musical person who says to you "Is there anything I can do?" could be asked to find a home for the periodicals? Or could be asked to store them for a couple of weeks to clear the room? Many people would be very pleased to be given something to do.
@piglet, I hesitate to say this, but being married to another organ nut case, if you PM me the titles, I can ask if beloved husband would like any of them, and your sister could maybe bring them to Edinburgh (that’s where she is, yes?) for him to collect. Hesitate only because they will be heavy for your sister, and then I will have to house them!!
@North East Quine Guild records can be, and I believe are actively encouraged to be, tired in the national archives in Edinburgh or Inverness (I don’t know if there is a similar acceptable facility in Aberdeen). You just let the Guild office at 121 know where you are sending them first, so that they can keep a note of it.
Taking them over the Pond wouldn't be an option: there really are hundreds of them.
It looks as though I won't have to send them that far: I had a message today from the OG who says he'd be delighted to take them, and that he can make arrangements for them to be moved.
Well, that's one thing sorted -- and something I'm sure would please D. (Sorry, I can't help with boxes. Even if I had some, Arizona would be a bit far to deliver them to you.)
Glad they are sorted. My husband also has hundreds, going back decades..... by the way, he says he met your D (and thereby outed your real name to me) back when D played in Orkney. He sends his condolences and says the world of organists will be the poorer.
We were recently given some Scottish literary magazines going back to the 1830s and wondered how to find them a good home. (They are not in good condition). The consensus of library and bookselling friends from all over was that however valuable a periodical might appear to be, a library or archive somewhere has already got them and probably in better condition. This is a tough decision, but they'll probably go for recycling, though I suppose Kijiji is a possibility.
Most of the "Presbyterian Record" has gone, but my shelves of 'Trains Illustrated" and 'The Railway Magazine"? They'll be the last to go!
... however valuable a periodical might appear to be, a library or archive somewhere has already got them and probably in better condition ...
That's what I thought; I was a little worried that D. might have bequeathed some of them to the British Institute of Organ Studies, but there was nothing specific in his will, and anyway, I thought if the BIOS want to come over and take them away, they can ...
The OG came round today, and says he'll be back tomorrow for the whole jolly lot.
If/when the day ones that I have to shift the groaning shelves of organ journals in this house, I hope I find an OG like you. Or else that I can bring myself to be ruthless.
The Community Library for which I volunteer is having a sausage sizzle, white elephant and general fundraising day soon. I have enough for a whole family of white elephants, the challenge is going to be getting them to the location.
I'm taking things very slowly: today all I did in that line was bagged up several piles of sheet music, which I'm hoping a friend who has her own choir might be interested in.
I also had visits from two members of the choir, and my freezer is now cluttered with spicy chicken and rice and a huge lasagne (which I've divided into four).
[quote="Piglet;c-199569"
I also had visits from two members of the choir, and my freezer is now cluttered with spicy chicken and rice and a huge lasagne (which I've divided into four).
[/quote]
This so reminds me of the time Master S and Miss S were confirmed by the lovely Bishop Leslie Lloyd Rees. I asked the vicar if it was okay to invite him to lunch, not wishing to step on any ecclesiastical toes, and he said the Bishop accepted any and all invitations to meals as he was recently bereaved. Apparently so many ladies of his congregation had brought him casseroles that he insisted they leave them on the kitchen table - he was embarrassed at how many there already were in the freezer!
He said he could cook egg and toast - but not at the same time <rofl>
Piglet, I'm sorry for your loss. If I may suggest, based on household experiences when I was a kid: don't feel that you have to let anyone in the door, whether casserole givers or people who show up expecting to pay a condolence call. Some people have no sensitivity or sense; and having them barge in can make grieving harder.
If you really *want* guests, then have them in. But also take time for yourself.
I'm quite happy to have visitors, as long as they can cope with my currently erratic tear-ducts.
I had one of the pieces of lasagne for lunch/supper (it was about half past three in the afternoon, because that's when I got home after a meeting about the funeral music, and I was feeling hungry), and it was utterly delish. I may have to ask B., the gentleman who brought it, for the recipe.
Have now decluttered a load (six carrier-bags) of sheet-music in the direction of the local university, so at least there's a bit of space in one spare room!
Oh well done, Piglet!
My spare room is now nicely fitted out with a workbench, shelves and a cupboard. Managed to keep the single bed accessible too. Still a lot to sort, but I have made a lot of progress. I am determined to keep the room tidy, but I have several boxes to sort, and papers to file. Eventually I plan to put my life / Family History / photos into albums. Plenty to occupy the winter months.
Attempting to deal with a mountain of clutter, largely due to having a house guest move in and take over a room. Desperately seeking my son's cellphone which has gone missing long enough to be untraceable (battery dead) and is probably in the pile of clutter. We need it because: (Dr. Seuss voice)
On that phone there is a code,
By that code there hangs a Federal Student Aid ID,
By that ID is signed a FAFSA (financial aid app),
From that FAFSA flows a family contribution figure,
In conjunction with that figure is filed a college application (or five),
In response to that application is made a financial aid OFFER (please God),
By which offer hangs our freaking family finances for the next four years.
So of course the bloody thing isn't turning up--and there's no simple way of obtaining the code. I shall have to ring up the government and spend my day listening to Muzak, hey ho.
Best of luck, LC!
My sister and niece came over for the funeral (they left today), and while they were here they helped with a humongous amount of declutterment.
All but about a dozen of the teddy-bears have gone to Value Village ( ), and a whole lot of other stuff has gone from the study. I've offered D's collection of hymnals, anthem books and assorted reference books on hymnody and church music to the Cathedral for the use of his successor and they've accepted, so I should get rid of them next week.
Most of our other books will get boxed up next week and taken to Value Village or a charity shop; I have some that I'd like to keep, but I may have to weigh up the cost of shipping them over the Pond against replacing them when I move. That'll also mean I can lose a few scruffy old bookshelves, which'll make the rooms look bigger.
Comments
Oxfam bookshop has a 'buy 3 books, get the 4th free' offer, therefore 4 books purchased from the Oxfam bookshop ...
... and another 2 from Waterstones across the road.
Not a success in terms of decluttering but I enjoyed myself and now have plenty of reading material for a few weeks. (And I'm blaming the shocking state of my local public libraries - across the whole borough, they only stock a couple of Toni Morrison titles - Beloved, which I've already read, and one of her newest ones. No The Bluest Eye, no Song Of Solomon. Hence, a trip to a bookshop was essential.)
Mum has now died and I have another house to sort, with the assistance of my brother. This one will be much worse. Both my parents were hoarders and we have just realized that Mum has has a few years of putting everything into piles and not investigating what had happened to anything that fell off the top.
I have just discovered a volunteer-run natural asset near here, which sells retro-type stuff in its gift shop. That is where the posh china from the Dowager's house is going - I really hope it will help with their funding. I'm trying to find out if the linen, everyday china etc could be used by a woman's refuge local to her, as I'd like it to be useful. But it seems a never-ending activity...
Mrs. S, feeling more and more like Steptoe
My brother and sister-in-law are currently doing the final clearance of Dad's house (the sale is to be concluded on Friday): they've taken some things to a charity called ReStart, and they're getting the removal people to take some of the bigger stuff there as well.
The whole process is being helped by the fact that the buyers want to keep quite a lot of what they endearingly refer to as the "retro"* furniture (and the piano), which will make the movers' task all the easier.
* i.e. dated - most of it's from the 50s and 60s and I wouldn't give it house room!
Seriously, I couldn't believe it when my sister told me the things they wanted to have included in the sale. I could understand the piano - it's not a bad instrument if in need of tuning, and they have a couple of young kids who they may well want to encourage to take lessons - but some of the other stuff ... crikey!
When I moved here the blinds and curtains were included, as were the specialised taps in the laundry. The woman who had grown up in the house asked if she could have some of the Christmas lily bulbs that her Dad had planted and nurtured with loving care, (all good because I hate Christmas lilies) and left me the washing machine in exchange.
If I have to move (as opposed to my wish to be carried out feet-first) the things I will miss most are the hand painted bathroom tiles show picture of NZ birds that I had installed in the bathroom. They were only about $300, but they give me such pleasure.
I am not very good with technology and my phone does weird things with photos, but I know where I can get some assistance to use my tablet to take the photos.
The problem is that this isn't sufficient storage (!)
One minor snag is that I am now regarded as the repository for old paperwork connected to the church. For example, when the Women's Guild folded, I got the paperwork. So it's not all my stuff. However, if I sorted the papers that are mine, the church stuff would be less of an issue.
Our loft is small and already jam packed.
I am setting myself the challenge of getting my study clutter free by the end of October.
But where do I start?
Then beg, borrow or steal a shredder, and give away lots of hamster bedding.
In instalments.
Tempted to come down the A14 and help to get away from my stuff.
Actually, I should make a list of what's there and approach the archives.
Excellent! That's today's task. Catalogue the Women's Guild stuff.
Oh to have it all moved, and get rid of what I don’t have room for!
Well ...
I'm honestly not sure where I'm going to start, but as my sister's coming over next week for the funeral, I need to get my finger out and clear them out to make way for a bed in the spare room. In the spirit of what D would want, I've offered them to an old gentleman who used to come to his recitals, but I haven't heard back from him and I'd be surprised if he wanted them.
Oh well, at least next Friday is a paper recycling collection day ...
If the Old Gentleman should prove not to want them, is there perhaps a market for them on (say) Mr eBay's Emporium site?
I realise that that might be unnecessary hassle for you, but maybe someone at the Cathedral is an eBay seller, and could oblige?
OTOH, sage advice (sometimes I wish I'd listened to it) is not to get rid of anything too quickly...
@North East Quine Guild records can be, and I believe are actively encouraged to be, tired in the national archives in Edinburgh or Inverness (I don’t know if there is a similar acceptable facility in Aberdeen). You just let the Guild office at 121 know where you are sending them first, so that they can keep a note of it.
Cathscat, who this week closed another Guild....
It looks as though I won't have to send them that far: I had a message today from the OG who says he'd be delighted to take them, and that he can make arrangements for them to be moved.
Anyone got a few dozen sturdy boxes I can borrow?
Most of the "Presbyterian Record" has gone, but my shelves of 'Trains Illustrated" and 'The Railway Magazine"? They'll be the last to go!
The OG came round today, and says he'll be back tomorrow for the whole jolly lot.
Deo gratias!
* except the one I found lurking under a bookcase, confirming Sod's Law.
The Community Library for which I volunteer is having a sausage sizzle, white elephant and general fundraising day soon. I have enough for a whole family of white elephants, the challenge is going to be getting them to the location.
I also had visits from two members of the choir, and my freezer is now cluttered with spicy chicken and rice and a huge lasagne (which I've divided into four).
I also had visits from two members of the choir, and my freezer is now cluttered with spicy chicken and rice and a huge lasagne (which I've divided into four).
[/quote]
This so reminds me of the time Master S and Miss S were confirmed by the lovely Bishop Leslie Lloyd Rees. I asked the vicar if it was okay to invite him to lunch, not wishing to step on any ecclesiastical toes, and he said the Bishop accepted any and all invitations to meals as he was recently bereaved. Apparently so many ladies of his congregation had brought him casseroles that he insisted they leave them on the kitchen table - he was embarrassed at how many there already were in the freezer!
He said he could cook egg and toast - but not at the same time <rofl>
Mrs. S, remembering him very fondly
Piglet, I'm sorry for your loss. If I may suggest, based on household experiences when I was a kid: don't feel that you have to let anyone in the door, whether casserole givers or people who show up expecting to pay a condolence call. Some people have no sensitivity or sense; and having them barge in can make grieving harder.
If you really *want* guests, then have them in. But also take time for yourself.
FWIW, YMMV.
Our pastor asked us if we needed anything. “Food?” <sees my face> “A bigger freezer?”
I had one of the pieces of lasagne for lunch/supper (it was about half past three in the afternoon, because that's when I got home after a meeting about the funeral music, and I was feeling hungry), and it was utterly delish. I may have to ask B., the gentleman who brought it, for the recipe.
Have now decluttered a load (six carrier-bags) of sheet-music in the direction of the local university, so at least there's a bit of space in one spare room!
My spare room is now nicely fitted out with a workbench, shelves and a cupboard. Managed to keep the single bed accessible too. Still a lot to sort, but I have made a lot of progress. I am determined to keep the room tidy, but I have several boxes to sort, and papers to file. Eventually I plan to put my life / Family History / photos into albums. Plenty to occupy the winter months.
On that phone there is a code,
By that code there hangs a Federal Student Aid ID,
By that ID is signed a FAFSA (financial aid app),
From that FAFSA flows a family contribution figure,
In conjunction with that figure is filed a college application (or five),
In response to that application is made a financial aid OFFER (please God),
By which offer hangs our freaking family finances for the next four years.
So of course the bloody thing isn't turning up--and there's no simple way of obtaining the code. I shall have to ring up the government and spend my day listening to Muzak, hey ho.
My sister and niece came over for the funeral (they left today), and while they were here they helped with a humongous amount of declutterment.
All but about a dozen of the teddy-bears have gone to Value Village (
Most of our other books will get boxed up next week and taken to Value Village or a charity shop; I have some that I'd like to keep, but I may have to weigh up the cost of shipping them over the Pond against replacing them when I move. That'll also mean I can lose a few scruffy old bookshelves, which'll make the rooms look bigger.