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Housekeeping

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Original poster

The minimalist quiche

970 replies

educatingarti · 23/01/2013 12:47

This is a new thread to replace the minimalist journey one which is nearly full!

OP posts:
eminemmerdale · 12/02/2013 13:53

a shredder is a wonderful idea

blondiedollface · 12/02/2013 14:12

Hope you don't mind me joining so late - our tiny house that we moved into 11 months ago is cluttered to the hilt as we both brought our collections of stuff, then had DD so we have all her tat stuff too and now we are ttc #2 I really feel like we need to get things sorted!

Our lounge has been sorted and through use of wicker baskets, a new shoe cupboard and moving a couple bits of furniture out it is looking 'minimal' hoorah!!! Now just to attack the rest of the house with the same vicious hand

Our dining room is currently acting as our junk room and I've upended the under stairs cupboards to rearrange, sort throw out and possibly sell whatever crap was there!

DD's room is sorted, toys in hamper, spare nappies/wipes in under cot storage, all clothes that don't fit in size labelled boxes for DC2 if we get one ( Grin ), new bigger drawers to fit all clothes in and all medicines now in a tupperware pot in a top shelf in a kitchen cupboard downstairs.

Half way through mine and DH's bedroom too, sorting old clothes, clothes that don't fit and general crap!

I want my home to feel homely not cluttered!

NotQuitePerfect · 12/02/2013 14:24

Sounds like you're making excellent progress blondie.

It gets easier too - we had a massive clear out at the weekend, I didn't honestly think there was anything else to chuck, but I've managed ANOTHER trip to the tip this morning!

Ruthlessness is becoming a habit, cupboards are 'breathing' and becoming a joy to open.

The harder bit is reminding myself not to bring any more crap IN to the house!

Good luck, and to emin too. Smile

blondiedollface · 12/02/2013 15:50

So all my shoes - I know I only wear each pair about once a year but they are probably the only thing (apart from books) I have real trouble getting rid of...

Do you guys just go ruthless and chuck or are there things you find really difficult to let go of? Also - summer/winter clothes and shoes - do you store them out of season?

MrsPennyapple · 12/02/2013 15:51

Well, my hair is now well and truly decluttered! I feel so much better for having short hair again, I feel like me again :)

I got a few bits out of the kitchen cupboards the other day to get rid of, and asked DP to check if there was anything he didn't want to go. He has put back in the cupboard two stainless steel dishes which are divided into two inside, and have lids. I think they are for serving veg, when you have company. They have never been used since we've been together, and I am certain he had forgotten they even existed. So I'm a bit annoyed about that, but I shall keep my gob shut, as most of the stuff that's going is his.

eminemmerdale · 12/02/2013 16:45

I know things haven't started in my house yet, but I have just walked in from work and cried at the thought of what needs doing. DD has had a friend over these past two days so her playroom is a tip, not to mention overspilt into the dining room, with pens and drawing paper all over the table, I said to dh we WILL be chucking the videos and he's all of a dither looking through them and saying but we must keep this.why why why? I'm on our bed looking at this monstrous silver 6 foor rotating mirror thing a tatty 60's chest of drawers, a very nice 30's mini 'gentlemans wardrobe' an ironing board (yes) a cupboard that won't close, a barstool (?) a bedside table and a glass fronted 20's cabinet full of royal family teasets (Mils, that dh couldn't bear to get rid of...) Just went into ds room and he told me dad had got him to clear under his bunbed, so I had a look and basically, all the tat under there (including the green top of an ancient min pool table (!) ) is still there, just in a different position! The kitchen has a broken chair in it (for firewood) and a bag of logs, a bout six pairs of shoes - oh shoes - there are hundreds of pairs of shoes in each room. I really am on the edge tonight which is totally ridiculous - I am apparently getting 'into a ridiculous state' And this is a snapshot.... :(
And breathe

Sorry. Thanks if you made it to the end!

harrietspy · 12/02/2013 17:03

Oh, eminem that sounds really overwhelming. Is there anything that's completely within your control (and nothing to do with your dh or dc) that you could start with, just so that you feel a tiny sense of achievement?

Some of us on this thread have started with junking unwanted make-up, toiletries, tights, etc. A really easy win is to sort out the piles of paper into might-be-important and junk mail, or chuck out pens that aren't working. It might not feel like much, but maybe it's a tiny movement towards a calmer house...

It doesn't sound ridiculous. It sounds overwhelming.

Original poster
educatingarti · 12/02/2013 17:14

eminem -not ridiculous at all!

I have been finding this book really useful. She is rather bossy and I don't do everything she says but she does give a clear summary of why people hold onto things and other ways of thinking. You

Hand holding going on here while you are finding it all so hard!

OP posts:
eminemmerdale · 12/02/2013 17:21

I have outlined what I AM going to be doing over the next few weeks and he has agreed to spend tomorrow sorting out the paperwork. Tonight, I'm just going to go around making a list or two. At least I'm motivated to male a plan!

QueenofWhatever · 12/02/2013 17:28

blondie as longer term residents of these thread know, I have been doing Project 333 since Christmas. It's really help me crack the rarely worn shoes and why I buy dresses but hardly ever wear them.

It made me realise I had loads of summer clothes that I rarely wore, mainly because it's too bloody cold. It's because I like warm, sunny weather and holidays are when I get to spend my time doing what I want with people I want to be with. Not rocket science but making the link has helped me let go of (most of) the clothes I wore barely once a year.

eminem (genius name) I haven't seen your original thread, maybe you could link? But if things are that overwhelming, maybe do the FlyLady hotspot thing where you aim to keep one surface or area clean where things tend to get dumped. For me it's the kitchen counter so just tidying that makes me feel more in control. The shiny sink thing works for me as well.

eminemmerdale · 12/02/2013 17:34

here it is I wrote it this morning when i got to work, having just kicked the back door in frustration Blush Eminemmerdae is what dh used to call Eminem when our ( then aged 13/14- now 23) eldest dd used to wax lyrical about him and how brilliant he was and how he wrote all about his life. It was a sure fire way to irritate her Grin

sommewhereelse · 12/02/2013 18:10

I've finished going through a box of souvenirs. I don't know what to do with my Grandad's Bible. It's very old but falling to bits so can't have any value. I've kept his hymn book which is in good condition.
Tell me it's ok to bin the Bible...

eminemmerdale · 12/02/2013 18:16

Maybe take a page from it and keep that safe?

sommewhereelse · 12/02/2013 18:18

I don't have a problem with not keeping it. It's what to do with it because it's a holy book. I'm being silly. It is just paper after all.

eminemmerdale · 12/02/2013 18:23

Oh crikey - yes, throw it. As long as it's recycled you'll be fine Grin

wendybird77 · 12/02/2013 18:30

SWE it is ok to bin the bible. If it is falling to bits you can't read it anyway - so pointless.

eminem welcome. I haven't read your thread, but you sound overwhelmed with it all. Everyone is saying slow and steady, but in your situation I would aim to hit one room hard so that you can have some success and gain motivation to tackle the rest. Remember that you have a right to space and that right is equal to Dh or DCs right to stuff. My DH is a collector and it drives me batty. Over the years I've started splitting space so that he can't take over everyone else's space with stuff without it being obvious. As an example I'm planning our new entryway and each member of the family will have a cubby for their coats, hats and shoes. if he stuffs his cubby with stuff it doesn't impinge on anyone else's ability to find and use their own things peacefully. Hope that makes sense!

Nothing exciting to report from here. We are officially into the renovations, so the house is a mess and more stuff is being delivered every day. Hopefully it will all fit into place in a few weeks and life will feel simpler. That's the masterplan.

Original poster
educatingarti · 12/02/2013 19:27

somewhere else I am a committed Christian and I value the Bible highly. It is one way I believe God can communicate with me. However I think it is absolutely fine to put the Bible into paper recycling if it is falling apart. It is the stories, histories, poems, communication, prayers etc in it that are important, not the actual physical print and paper. I think God is far more interested in us as people and in growing a loving relationship with us than in us keeping religious artifacts that are unuseable. I have thrown away a Bible that was falling apart before.

I am in the middle "I wish I'd never started and how long will this actually take" phase of dealing with just one shelf in one of the lesser cupboards of doom!

Blondie - Welcome!

Mrs P - your new hairstyle really suits you Grin . Definitely a good decision!

OP posts:
SilentMammoth · 12/02/2013 19:36

Quick ly sticking my head in to wish harriet a reflective lent. We'll miss you and be forming a welcoming committee on easter morning!

harrietspy · 12/02/2013 19:42

silent that is so lovely. Smile As you can see I'm cramming in as much MinQ as I can before Ash Wednesday. Smile

LemonBreeland · 12/02/2013 19:57

I got a flylady email today about 40 boxes of decluttering for lent. That could make a very lean house for Easter. I'm not sure if I can do it or not.

Original poster
educatingarti · 12/02/2013 20:29

Lemon That does sound a lot of boxes - I suppose it depends how big they are! What about a box for each week of Lent, or items in multiples of 40 so say 80 items for lent - ie 2 a day?

Harriet - I too hope you have a reflective Lent!

I have decided I like chucking things out, more than I like organising stuff! - But some stuff does need to be kept and organised!!

OP posts:
Original poster
educatingarti · 12/02/2013 21:34

I have put some "during" and "after" pictures on my profile! Can't believe how much wrapping paper and how many greetings cards I actually have Blush I guess that's one of the points of decluttering though isn't it! The yellow box has only ribbons and gift tags in!

It should make things much more accessible now though I may not have to buy any more wrapping paper for 100 years a while!

OP posts:
MrsPennyapple · 12/02/2013 21:53

educatingarti Think you need to make your profile public, I can't click on you.

Also, hoping you're just jesting about my hair and I haven't outed myself somehow!

sommewhereelse · 12/02/2013 22:03

Thanks for your encouragement. I was told off if I put an ordinary (non sacred) book on the floor as a child as it was disrepectful to the book. So it has taken some courage to bin a Bible which is probably twice as old as me but I've done it.
I don't have my grandfather's faith so it was helpful to have the perspective of someone who does.

Original poster
educatingarti · 12/02/2013 22:37

Ok - profile should be public now!
Mrs P - don't worry you haven't outed yourself! Twas in jest, but I still think it suits you!
somewhereelse Well done on finding the courage!

OP posts:
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