Kondo thread 8

[Isisizzie]

New thread for Kondo addicts.

Sorry I can't do all the links that were on the top of thread 7.

Thanks lqueen, the necklace is hideous not quite my style but I'm not really that keen on the emerald itself either. I would prefer to sell if and use the money to buy something more to my taste (it was a gift that couldn't be returned because it was bought abroad on holiday). But I have no clue what it's worth if anything.

prettymess Recipes - that's something that I need to do: sort out the unloved, unused, or unnecessary! I've got a tatty piece of card in a cookbook for... Gooseberry Crumble. WHY? The only difference in the recipe is ginger in the crumble topping! Also see below.

StuntNun The emerald will be worth something, and the setting probably too, if it is gold, silver or platinum - even if it is foreign.

Get a rough value, and sell it!

NB: There are two types of valuation for jewellery (and most other things!) - replacement value (how much we have to pay, to buy the same thing) used for insurance, and secondly, how much we should get, if we sell the item. With jewellery, the sale value is usually around half the insurance value.

An independent jeweller, pawnbroker, or auctioneer should be able to give a reasonable valuation, for free.

prettymess The above can also give you a valuation (and buy) your scrap bits, too.

Well I have had a good kondo weekend. 2 bags to chazzer. Started sorting out the shed of dread, and did a boot fair this morning. Got rid of lots of functional items I couldn't figure out where to donate. Met quite a few people who could do with a kondo, like the man who bought my broom saying "I've got four of these at home". I felt kondo-guilty.

Now at least I can start sorting the shed out because I can move things around...

I think I may have now washed every pair pair of knickers I own, except the ones I'm wearing of course, and I have far far too many I daren't count them. What can I do with unwanted pants? Though I am tempted to keep them as love the folding knickers kondo style!

Ugh, in a right foul mood from trying to tidy (old fasioned/pre Konodo-ing, sadly) DD's room (she's just 6) with/around her (I'm meant to help and she's meant to do things but, well, she's six), and not knowing where most of the tatty shit treasures on the floor go and then DH wanders in, asking when I wanted to go to the store (DH's code for telling me that it's time to go) and DD got all keen to go do that, only to hear me grump "not now, DD and I are in the middle of tidying her room. You can go do the shopping list, though a chore I usually do )

And THEN I went to the lounge for something and bumped a game he'd balanced on the edge of the couch and knocked it to the floor! I may have muttered something along the lines of "why can't

Oh dear, all that looking on Pinterest is making me do stuff like this.

CycleChic, I feel your pain. I actually cancelled our day out today because the bedrooms are such a mess. the ENTIRE family turned on me and have been vile all day.
At least my bedroom is now tidy though.

It's hard, isn't it, Gibble?
in a way., I almost wish I hadn't gotten into this. then I wouldn't be fussed well, not quite as fussed over the State of things!

Well the party is done phew.

Not too much in the way of annoying presents. Though others will no doubt hate the frozen microphone but I think it's cute. So far.
A few art projects that will require my help that always make me groan inside.
And a dress that's already too small so I'll have to try and exchange it.

Tomorrow is the actual birthday. Let's see what pil have given her...

Oh, I did actually kondo the shoe polishing kit the other day. I took it all out of the bag it was in and threw away those stupid wet wipe things which don't clean shoes. I also took back the cotton wool which lives with nail varnish stuff upstairs. It now all fits in the empty box from washing liquid tablets. I think of it as stealth tidying at present!

Hi everyone! I've been MIA for a couple of weeks, as life took over: my work, and DH's elderly parents. The bad news is that there's been no significant progress on the house. The really, really good news is that there's been no significant backsliding - the house is pretty bloody tidy! Oh, and the cordless vacuum cleaner is going a long way to help us keep the dog hair to a minimum.

Anyway, now I feel I'm coming up for air, so I've made a gentle start by going through my sewing patterns. I'm taking about half of them to work, tomorrow, to offer my colleagues first refusal on them.

Great to catch up with everybody's progress. gatorade - I love that idea of ending up with only the ultimate mascara, or moisturiser, or whatever. peppa - so sorry for your useless friend, and for your health problems. It's complicated by your friend's part in the matter, but for your own peace of mind, I think you need to put it behind you and deal with the much more important issues you're facing.

I have to kondo my alcohol cupboard tomorrow (hic). I suspect it is full of weird drinks bought on holidays ten years ago.
Does anyone get fed up with folding? I have three tumble dryer loads waiting to be put away, and can't have the time it takes. Plus school/work starts up again this week so more clothes to iron and organise... gah.

it's not the folding (I've always folded/rolled socks/or otherwise managed clothes before putting them away, this is just a cute new way to do that task) but dishes that gets to me. What I do is chant to myself: "I don't want to do the dishes but I want to have them done" as I do the washing up. On days I don't manage to get all mindful with them, that is :)
I like the superficial level of tidiness we have at the moment. I'm a bit scared that as soon as I enter any of the Komono sub categories, it'll all become a tip again, though!

Ah, Iggi! That limoncello tasted so good out of a frozen glass on the banks of Lake Como, but it tasted like washing-up liquid back home.

No question: folding is a bore. I can say it's easier when you do it little and often, but before you think I'm too smug, that's really not how it usually works in my house. The thing is, though, putting away washing has always been my least favourite job, and I don't find the folding any worse than when I just shoved it all in. I think that's because I culled my clothes to the extreme, so it simply can't get as bad as it used to. When you only have three pairs of trousers, there's only so long you can put off the laundry!

I'm also a strong advocate for an "every man for himself" approach to laundry, as far as possible. As soon as somebody is old enough to give a shit what they wear, they are responsible for getting their own clothes to the washing machine and, once dry, back to their drawers. If they want it folded, they can fold it themselves. If they don't mind it looking like a bird's nest, that's fine, but nobody else is going to run round in a panic, looking for their favourite socks. Of course young children need more help, but the obverse is that they get what they're given... If they're old enough to complain about it, they're old enough to take some responsibility for sorting it.

CC - I know what you mean about superficial tidiness... I think I'm reluctant to get into the next category because I've been living in a complete bomb-site on and off for months, and I'm quite enjoying the current tidiness. It's really time to attack linen and bedding, but I'm not looking forward to having tablecloths and duvets draped over every surface.

Hermione

Great post! I'm a believer in training children (and OHs) to take responsibility for their things from and early age! After all, we are may be Household Managers, but we are not slaves - even if it feels like it sometimes!

I'm part way through my linens - they have been piled on the spare bed for at least a month some time.

The key here, for me, is to decide how many sets, for different circumstances, I really need (applies to table linen and towels, too,) starting from a basic 2 sets per bed.

I have kept 2 nice tartan sets for a single bed as I have a (baby) grandson, who may come to stay at some future point - these would also be nice for an adult visitor, if needed. For the two double beds, it's the basic 2 sets for each, as I live alone. YMMBD

Towels and flannels, I use 1 per week - after all we are clean when we use them (at least, adults should be!) However, I do know someone who showers twice a day, using 2 fresh towels each time! (Wouldn't happen in my house!)

I don't uses table cloths or napkins on a daily basis, but have a set for posh occasions, and a Christmas set.

I haven't found it necessary to have bed-linen strewn everywhere, as it is easy to hold and feel the items while folded, although I may open up a pillow case, if necessary. (None of my hand-me-down linen is old enough to have worn thin, yet.) Fitted sheets are another matter, for judging the size, as some are the same colour, but different sizes!

HTH

Hi I'm a new konvert. It's so liberating. How has a book given me permission to get rid of things I've been holding onto for years? Did clothes over the weekend. Have sorted shoes and socks this morning. Vertical storage is genius.

Two last days off and now DS is back at school I am making more progress. Bedroom is a pleasure to sleep in. DD and I watched a film in there last night and I didn't sit there thinking stuff needed tidying!

Welcome Cherrypi

Since the beginning (or earlier) of humanity, accumulating and storing has been a natural survival strategy. In recent decades, it has become completely unnecessary, but we needed someone to point this out, and to 'give us permission' to escape from this inherited burden! Well done for joining The Cult! You've made a great start.

Vertical storage is genius, but how come we didn't recognise this in the 1960s when 'vertical storage of people' (in high-rise' buildings) was in its hey-day?

prettmess

I love my bedroom's tranquility, too. I'm sure we (generally) sleep better in a peaceful environment - odd really, since we are usually unconscious most of the time, we're in there. And, with nothing Urgent or Important nagging us - bliss!

Hmm - weekend topped off with a sickness bug. Just attempting my first cup of tea in over 24 hours! Flat even workse than before - and my DM is coming to stay mid-may so I have to have done something about the spare doom before then!

Welcome to our merry band cherry.

Loving the training Hermione. We took responsibility for laundry from secondary school. It was a good life lesson - not having the right clothes clean etc is a powerful lesson for a teenager!

Welcome Cherrypi!

Landing and hallway are done, except the cupboard under the stairs. I'm doing that later today. A lot of the stuff in there is the landlord's, so that has to stay. The toy box our friend wanted is finally gone too, so that's created a lot more room.

We sorted out our bikes yesterday. DS has outgrown his and is using his sister's. It's purple but he doesn't care! She is now using mine as she's grown taller than my mum now (gosh!) and fits on it perfectly fine. So one small bike to get rid of. We took DS on the playing field and he finally learnt to ride a bike! We're staying at Centre Parcs later in the year so we can hire bikes while we're there.

Hallway!

Sickness bug statistics:

weight loss - 3.5 pounds
financial loss - £132 pounds

The joys of self- employment!

The upside is - I have a day today when I am not working (less than 48 hours since last symptoms) but am somewhat recovered. Hoping to get some basic tidying and even some Kondoing done!!

Love your hall and stairs, prettymess. Brilliant work! Wish mine looked like that!

What is the little repro table-thingy? Would look great with my repro Welsh Dresser! May look out for one when my kondo journey is over... unless I've become a Mininmalist by then.