Cat tunnels for catio wanted

[Olly]

But small steps are what count! As well as trying to tackle some big clutter piles, I'm trying to get into a routine so I don't start to clutter things up again; I have a huge peninsula kitchen worktop which is covered in things that don't belong there, and so I'm trying to get out of the habit of just putting things down there and then shuffling them into a pile.

 

I think the photos are a good idea, Teabag - you can check them to see progress.

[Charlottechicken]

But small steps are what count!

 

Thanks!

 

Today I have removed big items of junk (actually the wrapping from the two leather recliners and stools which arrived on Sunday, and I have assembled). I have kept the huge boxes , I opened them out to go in the loft over some grubby wood when it is laid under the eaves as flooring. They are now in the loft, along with Christmas decs and the big bits of foam from the chair wrapping, as I use that under the cardboard box I have chicks in when in the kitchen, as a bit of insulation against the tiled floor. I threw all the other bits of foam away, and have rolled the other bits of packing cardboard into log sized pieces to burn in the woodburner.

 

I have thrown 5 tops out (well, in the spare room as I make up a bag of stuff for the charity shop), to make way for the 5 tops I bought on Monday Also thrown out two cardigans.

 

I have been around the house with a bin bag and ruthlessly decluttered my socks and tights drawers, throwing out any with holes in Also threw some undies out in the same condition

 

Onwards and upwards!

[The Dogmother]

Between us Rosie and I have 3 large bin liners full of stuff to go to the charity shop in the morning

[Charlottechicken]

Anyone else creating more mess by trying to sort the mess

[abwsco]

I've got one bag of stuff in our bedroom waiting to be taken to the charity shop but rather than sorting things out today we blitzed the lounge. Washed windows, hoovered everywhere including moving furniture etc etc and also moved things around. Found the usual Christmas decoration that had managed to hide itself

[Sheilaz]

Anyone else creating more mess by trying to sort the mess

Yes, I'm so glad it's not just me!

I always abandon piles in the middle of the sorting stage as I run out of time, it just can't be helped but it is frustrating.

 

I'm relying on very small steps to tackle a mammoth task as I only have short bursts of time. It seems better to do a little rather than none. I did do the one small kitchen surface but not much more. Even the "after" picture would look like a" before" picture to most of you, but it was progress.

 

Yes, like you Anne, I find stopping to clean does slow down the sorting, but it's all part of the final outcome.

 

Feel so pleased reading all your posts, well done to those with full bags etc. Just a bit disillusioned that I'm not getting far but, because of more urgent responsibilities, I'll have to be content with small steps.

 

Sis gave me a handy tip; Even if I just have 15 mins, say to myself "sort 20 things"(or any number) and count out loud as I do each one!

It's amazing how productive it feels, and varies from big decision items, down to more obvious everyday rubbish, or an object back where it belongs.

 

More tomorrow!

[sari]

I've just signed up.....and am ploughing my way through the website.....did sort out a bag of stuff today...

[Charlottechicken]

I'm trying to save my charity shop bags for later in the month. The shops round here get besieged at this time of year. I'll try and stick to the same shop too, I'm registered for giftaid at the local hospice shops and last year they sent me a letter saying all my donations raised an extra £26 because of giftaid This does of course mean that my spare bedroom is now a bigger mess than it was as all the good stuff piles up in there

 

I'm tackling the understairs cupboard today. There are shoes, coats and bags that need to go find new homes

[The Dogmother]

Anyone else creating more mess by trying to sort the mess

 

Moi!!!! *waves hand*

 

I've had to shift a load of stuff out of the utility room as the sparky is turning up tomorrow to re-wire it and do various other work. All the stuff is now cluttering up my newly sorted dining room Oh well, an excuse to sort it out when it all goes back in - that room seriously needs a fettling

[Forestchook]

Me too. But there is no way to avoid it, I think it's just part of the process. Unfotunately it hampers progress here becuae Mum can only tolerate so much generated chaos (above and beyond the chaos we live in that is).

 

BTW I'm afraid to say that from what I've seen and read of this post none of you seem to know the true meaning of clutter! We have three rooms that have degenerated into storage/junk rooms, not including the loft. There is a bathroom suite in the loft thats older than me and a guy fawlks that celebrated his twentieth birthday in November. I could go on, and on, and on...

We (or rather Mum) would have a big house if it weren't for the fact it's full of junk! I'd post some pictures but Mum has threaten to evict me (plus I'm haven't actually worked out how to post pics yet)

 

There is nothing I'd like more than to sort this place out but it's hard when I lot of the stuff here isn't mine. ( My brother's have wives and houses of their own but so much of there stuff is still here...) None the less I'm working on it. Good luck to everyone

[Chicken shack]

Well I have cleaned the sink

[Bramble]

Well, I am supposed to be having a visit from the gasman tomorrow (I will believe it when I see it, but that's another very long and tragic story ) So am trying to tidy up and declutter at the same time. I have lots of books which are going to the "book bank" at the local recycling place, ditto numerous clothes that I can no longer fit into (obviously they are going to the clothes bank, not in the book bank ). I am hoping that by giving away my "thin" clothes, this will make me lose weight (twisted logic I know, but there we are).

What do you all do with shoes that are worn out, obviously they can't go to the charity shop, but I'm loathed to send them to landfill - it is much easier for me to get rid of "stuff" if I know it's going anywhere other than landfill. The same with old clothes that are too tatty for the charity shop?

I have also decided to keep my shredder by the front door, the theory being that I open the rubbish, I mean post, as soon as I get home and stick it straight in the shredder, just weeding out the odd sheet that needs to be kept.

I've also put an envelope on the fridge to collect used postage stamps (something else I can never bear to throw away as so many charities collect them).

I even need to declutter my desk at work though, it's SO messy but one step at a time.

[Charlottechicken]

Understairs cupboard sorted!

 

Thrown away 2 pairs manky old comfy sandals, 1 pair old cheap flip flops, 2 pairs old cheap boots 1 pair with ripped lining so cannot be pulled on. I also threw a pair of 99p fake crocs which I use in the garden, which are almost tread free. Sorted scarves, hats and gloves and decided they all fit into the alloted space so do not need to be thrown. Sorted wrapping cupboard at the back of the cupboard and again, a good tidy up proved to be all it needed for everything to fit in, with space to spare 2 bags and 2 winter coats to go to charity shop soon

 

Feels good and looks like I have removed half the contents

[Olly]

sounds as if you're on a roll, Charlottechicken!

 

I don't know what you can do with old shoes, but it's my understanding that even tatty clothes can be recycled via the clothing bank - those that are not good enough to sell on are sold as rags, and turned into insulation (for example) and other products. I saw something on TV about this a few weeks ago, although I can't remember the details.

 

I use cotton t-shirts etc as rags - it's always useful to have a few for jobs like polishing things where you want to throw it away afterwards. I'm now collecting old t-shirts as I want to make a rag rug, and apparently they are very good for that!

[The Dogmother]

Oh Claire, you ruthless woman you!

 

I have been through my shoes, hoiked out some known brand shoes - hardly worn and from the days when i had to be smarter at work - and will get Phil to ebay them for me. Another 3 pairs have gone in the charity shop bag.

 

The electrician finishes today so I can put stuff back in the utility room and will sort as I go. I need to get some baskets from T K Maxx to keep things tidy in there.

 

We took 3 large bags to the charity shop (Katharine House Hospice, local hospice) on Saturday

[ClaireG]

We're going to be starting things very soon. Moving is a great incentive for throwing away/selling etc lots of items we don't use and for decluttering. I am determind that our new place will be less clutterd.

[Snowy]

Not making much progress as feeling too ropey, and also have a small child at home poorly. So I've put him to work cutting up christmas cards to turn into gift tags for next year.

[Bramble]

Not making much progress as feeling too ropey, and also have a small child at home poorly. So I've put him to work cutting up christmas cards to turn into gift tags for next year.

Oh sweet, my mum used to get me doing that when I was a teenybopper, I LOVED it, hope your little one is having fun!! Those were the days ...

[Charlottechicken]

I have been through my shoes, hoiked out some known brand shoes - hardly worn and from the days when i had to be smarter at work - and will get Phil to ebay them for me. Another 3 pairs have gone in the charity shop bag.

 

Good idea, branded shoes can make a good amount on ebay!

[The Dogmother]

The thing is that I have very small feet - I'm not sure how many people will buy narrow size 2.5 shoes!

[Charlottechicken]

Hmm, I'd start at a reasonable price, that way if there is only one potential customer you don't sell them for 99p

[Bramble]

... and presumably they wouldn't make shoes in that size if there wasn't a market for them ?

[The Dogmother]

Thanks for the advice, I need to find the time to take photos of them and do a write up for each pair so that Phil can put them on his account.

[sadietoo]

I've only just caught up with this thread....I will be joining you but not until after the end of January as too much work on until then. Just wanted to say that if you file a Tax Return you need to keep your bank statements etc until the Revenue's enquiry window closes which is 12 months after the last filing date for the return..so for 2009.10 information (up to 5th April 2010) the last filing date is 31st January 2011, and the records to back up the entries on your return should be retained until 31st January 2012. If you are self employed then you need to keep your business records for 6 years after the end of the tax year to which they relate. I hope that makes sense.

[Olly]

ah, thank you Sadie! I am merrily burning bank statements from 2004 at the moment, so I've got a way to go ...

 

This weekend's task is to sort out my bedroom. Chest of drawers = flat surface = junk pile. I've decided I want the bedroom to be somewhere calm and restful, and so I am going to end the weekend with all the surfaces cleared and everything put away (or thrown away!)