In the other house we had lots of storage. Easy to access, indoors and part of the living areas. Sure it was convenient, but honestly I hated it in some ways. It's hard to describe, all the storage was too "in my face".
This house has very little convenient storage, and TONNES of inconvenient storage. If I'm willing to go outside and battle the elements (and the spiders) I have over 1700 sqft of floorspace that I could access in the heated, dry crawlspace. Or if it's taller storage that I need (and temperature isn't important), there are 3 sheds in the yard.
This new storage situation has been fantastic at helping me sort and purge.
I don't want anything in the crawlspace. I can't have anything valuable in the sheds. And this open concept house itself is unforgiving.
So if I don't love it or find it useful it has permission to leave my life forever!
I am very close to my goals for these spaces: GOAL #23
Crawlspace- for Seasonal items (so I only have to go get them and put them away once a year)
Sheds- for Tools and Sports stuff
Once again I am happy with less. I am not buying things for some distant future anymore. I am not keeping things that could still be fun (but not right now). I am trusting that what I have is enough for now, and trusting that I will be able to get what I need in the future as I need it.
10.29.2012
10.18.2012
Coupon Temptation
Nothing like a 30% off coupon to get the shopping juices flowing.
Today the coupon expires, so I went to the shop. The coupon was for ANYTHING. I thoroughly went through everything. One thing tempted me (but they were out of stock and wouldn't sell the floor model). I started looking for "anything". But in the end -after 3 laps of the store- I gave up.
I overheard a couple talking to a sales clerk about a bed frame. The man was happy with the price and the sale ended today... he was ready to get it after he took his wife out for lunch. As they walked away I asked, "Are you getting it today?".
He said he was and asked if I wanted to get it. I explained that I had a great on-line coupon that I wasn't going to use and asked if they wanted it for their bed. He was so happy that he hugged me!
I felt good leaving the store with nothing to clutter my house and doing a nice thing. It wasn't a waste of a trip after all.
:)
Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. Wise words that work for using coupons as well as so many other things.
Today the coupon expires, so I went to the shop. The coupon was for ANYTHING. I thoroughly went through everything. One thing tempted me (but they were out of stock and wouldn't sell the floor model). I started looking for "anything". But in the end -after 3 laps of the store- I gave up.
I overheard a couple talking to a sales clerk about a bed frame. The man was happy with the price and the sale ended today... he was ready to get it after he took his wife out for lunch. As they walked away I asked, "Are you getting it today?".
He said he was and asked if I wanted to get it. I explained that I had a great on-line coupon that I wasn't going to use and asked if they wanted it for their bed. He was so happy that he hugged me!
I felt good leaving the store with nothing to clutter my house and doing a nice thing. It wasn't a waste of a trip after all.
:)
Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. Wise words that work for using coupons as well as so many other things.
10.16.2012
Paint
Make-up
Some women adore it. Can't leave home without it. And have enough of it to decorate a broadway cast for a whole season.
Other women don't even own a tube of lip gloss.
My make-up relationship has been somewhere in between. I have gone through phases of exploring colours, brands and styles... but my normal going-out-in-public make-up is fairly minimal by my sister's glamourous daily standards. Weekends are even less painted... if at all. Nobody seems to care one way or the other (with one exception: my going-out-for-a-date-with-the-hubby make-up makes my boys frown at heavy application).
Since moving I have LOST most of my make-up selections. What I've been using for almost 3 month fits in the small pouch I left unpacked close to the move-time.
Occassionally, I find myself in the make-up aisle of the drug store, but after the initial flush of excitement at all the pretty colours, I get annoyed at the "more-of-the-same" feeling of it all, and leave without buying a thing.
It turns out I am happy with what I have!
1 Small pot of mousse concealer (which they no longer make so I'm not sure what to do when I run out)
3 eyeshadow colour combo options (subtle, evening & playful)
3 eyeliner options (blue black, brown)
1 highlighter pencil
1 waterproof mascara
1 not waterproof mascara
2 lipgloss (1 clear, one coloured)
1 lipstick (natural tint)
These are colours that are tried and true with my eye and skin tones. I feel comfortable in everything in that make-up pouch.
There is a box of conciderably more choices somewhere. If I find it I will toss them all!
It's simply EASIER to find (and use) my favourites with almost nothing in the drawer.
Some women adore it. Can't leave home without it. And have enough of it to decorate a broadway cast for a whole season.
Other women don't even own a tube of lip gloss.
My make-up relationship has been somewhere in between. I have gone through phases of exploring colours, brands and styles... but my normal going-out-in-public make-up is fairly minimal by my sister's glamourous daily standards. Weekends are even less painted... if at all. Nobody seems to care one way or the other (with one exception: my going-out-for-a-date-with-the-hubby make-up makes my boys frown at heavy application).
Since moving I have LOST most of my make-up selections. What I've been using for almost 3 month fits in the small pouch I left unpacked close to the move-time.
Occassionally, I find myself in the make-up aisle of the drug store, but after the initial flush of excitement at all the pretty colours, I get annoyed at the "more-of-the-same" feeling of it all, and leave without buying a thing.
It turns out I am happy with what I have!
1 Small pot of mousse concealer (which they no longer make so I'm not sure what to do when I run out)
3 eyeshadow colour combo options (subtle, evening & playful)
3 eyeliner options (blue black, brown)
1 highlighter pencil
1 waterproof mascara
1 not waterproof mascara
2 lipgloss (1 clear, one coloured)
1 lipstick (natural tint)
These are colours that are tried and true with my eye and skin tones. I feel comfortable in everything in that make-up pouch.
There is a box of conciderably more choices somewhere. If I find it I will toss them all!
It's simply EASIER to find (and use) my favourites with almost nothing in the drawer.
10.14.2012
Ten ways to control Clutter
This post is not mine. In fact I took it from here.
It was just so very true that I had to spread the word!
Every slip of paper, new item of clothing, or book to read takes a precious piece of you—some of your money, time, or energy. Some are worth their cost; but many are not. Be intentional about what you allow into your home and your life, and make sure each one is worthy of its place.
Here are ten ways you can keep clutter from building in your life:
(What I tell ya?! That extra-organized lady knows how it works!)
It was just so very true that I had to spread the word!
Every slip of paper, new item of clothing, or book to read takes a precious piece of you—some of your money, time, or energy. Some are worth their cost; but many are not. Be intentional about what you allow into your home and your life, and make sure each one is worthy of its place.
Here are ten ways you can keep clutter from building in your life:
- Once you reduce your possessions to those you treasure and use, once you restrict your schedule to essential activities, and once you limit your priority list to only the best, enjoy and appreciate what you have. Use your treasures daily, get stuck into your activities, and focus on your priorities. You’ll get joy and satisfaction from making the most of what you have, rather than chasing the endless high of new things.
- Use quality as a filter. When quality guides your purchases, decisions, and actions, you’ll feel better and you’ll add treasure to your life instead of junk.
- Restrict entry to your home and schedule. Set up precise entry points: one in tray for paper; one feed reader for blog updates; one diary for appointments. Give each item attention before allowing it to make its way beyond this point.
- Be a conscious consumer. Consider the true cost of producing an item, and make a statement through what you buy. You’ll naturally buy less this way.
- Treat op shops [thrift stores], garage sales, gifts, and freebies the same way you do full-priced items from regular stores. If you wouldn’t go out and buy it, nor pay full price for it, don’t add it to your life.
- Avoid impulsiveness. Spontaneity can be wonderful, but when applied to shopping, it usually ends up tinged with regret. The book you’ve wanted to read for ages is okay; the magazine you picked up on a whim is probably not.
- Transform unwanted items into value. Sometimes an item in your home is misplaced. The hot-pink satin slip (don’t laugh, I had one) might now be irrelevant in your wardrobe, but becomes a gem in the kids’ dress-up box.
- Set up a system for moving along temporary items. Have a spot for items to return, decide how often you’ll destroy outdated paperwork, and throw out old newspapers when you receive the latest one.
- Only sell the most valuable of your clutter. Giving an item to someone else who wants it, or donating it to [thrift stores], is a simple way to keep things flowing out the door. It’s rarely worth your time and effort to list something for sale.
- Don’t agonise over clutter decisions. Try using the benchmark principle. If you still can’t decide quickly, put it in your undecided box and get it out of the way. If you’re unsure whether to add an activity to your schedule, ask for time to think about it. When you know you have a second chance to make a decision, you give yourself space to view the situation with more clarity and perspective.
(What I tell ya?! That extra-organized lady knows how it works!)
Goal #22 The BIG goal - unpacking
This last bit of unpacking is very very hard. It's in my office space, and it's driving me crazy.
I guess the hardest part is figuring out what SHOULD be kept out of these supplies, reference materials, cords and cables. Some of it COULD go back into the crawlspace, but I'm trying to avoid that because I won't want to retrieve anything unless it's vital.
There are still SOME boxes in the crawlspace, but not very many!
Oh the power of decluttering! The trek has been great, and it will be an ongoing journey.
I guess the hardest part is figuring out what SHOULD be kept out of these supplies, reference materials, cords and cables. Some of it COULD go back into the crawlspace, but I'm trying to avoid that because I won't want to retrieve anything unless it's vital.
There are still SOME boxes in the crawlspace, but not very many!
Oh the power of decluttering! The trek has been great, and it will be an ongoing journey.
- Making a goal
- Setting limits
- Trusting the decisions to let go
- Removing the chosen items quickly
- Trusting that there will always be "enough"
10.07.2012
One foot in front of the other
I found another box of shoes in one of the sheds.
Because I wasn't "missing" any shoes (except maybe the cold-season ones) the cull was easy.
My wonderful TOMS have taken over the majority of my warm weather shoe needs. Ergo any shoes that were even remotely loafer style got the axe.... no matter what the quality or country of manufacture -- that was 4 pairs! A pretty (but hard to wear) dressy heel, mules, ballet flats, and mary jane wedges taken out too AND a pair of winter boots and water shoes that my youngest has outgrown. Exciting progress on the shoe front!
ALL the shoes fit in one of 2 places now - hall closet and mud-room. At the other house I had them in the master closet, coat closet, utility closet and laundryroom.... and a few in the garage too.
Because I wasn't "missing" any shoes (except maybe the cold-season ones) the cull was easy.
My wonderful TOMS have taken over the majority of my warm weather shoe needs. Ergo any shoes that were even remotely loafer style got the axe.... no matter what the quality or country of manufacture -- that was 4 pairs! A pretty (but hard to wear) dressy heel, mules, ballet flats, and mary jane wedges taken out too AND a pair of winter boots and water shoes that my youngest has outgrown. Exciting progress on the shoe front!
full box of purged shoes
ALL the shoes fit in one of 2 places now - hall closet and mud-room. At the other house I had them in the master closet, coat closet, utility closet and laundryroom.... and a few in the garage too.
10.05.2012
Solutions
Peter Walsh has a terrific mantra to make more effective decisions about what to keep. He says "SET LIMITS: you only have the space you have"
When it comes to book collections, no truer words were ever spoken. But what if you have the space to get MORE organizing tools (a bigger bookshelf for example)? Well then other choices must be made. Use my example, I could make it a goal to pay a carpenter to make the perfect built in bookshelf like my other house. Or for a quick fix, I could easily embrace the idea of taking the ferry and a road trip to the mainland to buy a close-to-perfect bookcase - in fact that was what I was planning to do before the lightning bolt struck.
The lighting bolt I am speaking of was found in the garage. I have been hanging onto some commercial-strength glass shelves for about a decade. I love the weight of them, the clarity, the perfect bevelled edge... but they never found a home at the other place. I moved them here thinking they might come in handy for the garage. And last week I saw them there leaning against the wall and felt sad that I wasn't using them. "SHAZAAM!"
The solution to my bookcase dilemma was right in front of me. And it was the easiest, fastest (and least expensive) option! I would be able to us my beloved glass by getting rid of enough books to live with a simpler stacked bookcase!
A brief mission to find the right supports began. Flowerpots were too expensive. Bricks too messy. But some water hyacinth storage baskets with metal frames proved sturdy, clean, grippy for the glass, affordable and reasonably priced. Viola!
Not nearly the capacity of my old shelving wall. But now at least I know what space I have with which to set the realistic limits Peter Walsh is talking about. A dozen or so boxes of books to fit into 16 linear feet of shelving.
Just yesterday I took 3 boxes of books to the Elementary school. It was hard to get rid of some of the old favourites... (I did keep a short stack of the younger-age books) But so many of the classics are easily found at the library (I had to finally admit it, my boys aren't big readers).
And for my own selections, I decided the very best place for my favourite pocket novels and the "yet to be read" collection should be narrowed down to JUST ONE slim, rolling, under-the-bed container (another space that has definable limits). It felt good to accomplish that. They are still easy to access and in a logical place (since I like to read in bed).
More boxes to charity, more purging and prioritizing and sorting... here we are!
I'm pleased with the low height. And tickled pink seeing the glass shelves being utilized too!
Total cost... $53.76 for the baskets. It was so reasonable that I treated myself with the picture rail shelf above... obviously I'm taking that "set limit" to it's maximum capacity. Maybe time to consider the quantity of family photos I like to display?
What do you think?
When it comes to book collections, no truer words were ever spoken. But what if you have the space to get MORE organizing tools (a bigger bookshelf for example)? Well then other choices must be made. Use my example, I could make it a goal to pay a carpenter to make the perfect built in bookshelf like my other house. Or for a quick fix, I could easily embrace the idea of taking the ferry and a road trip to the mainland to buy a close-to-perfect bookcase - in fact that was what I was planning to do before the lightning bolt struck.
The lighting bolt I am speaking of was found in the garage. I have been hanging onto some commercial-strength glass shelves for about a decade. I love the weight of them, the clarity, the perfect bevelled edge... but they never found a home at the other place. I moved them here thinking they might come in handy for the garage. And last week I saw them there leaning against the wall and felt sad that I wasn't using them. "SHAZAAM!"
The solution to my bookcase dilemma was right in front of me. And it was the easiest, fastest (and least expensive) option! I would be able to us my beloved glass by getting rid of enough books to live with a simpler stacked bookcase!
A brief mission to find the right supports began. Flowerpots were too expensive. Bricks too messy. But some water hyacinth storage baskets with metal frames proved sturdy, clean, grippy for the glass, affordable and reasonably priced. Viola!
under construction
Just yesterday I took 3 boxes of books to the Elementary school. It was hard to get rid of some of the old favourites... (I did keep a short stack of the younger-age books) But so many of the classics are easily found at the library (I had to finally admit it, my boys aren't big readers).
And for my own selections, I decided the very best place for my favourite pocket novels and the "yet to be read" collection should be narrowed down to JUST ONE slim, rolling, under-the-bed container (another space that has definable limits). It felt good to accomplish that. They are still easy to access and in a logical place (since I like to read in bed).
More boxes to charity, more purging and prioritizing and sorting... here we are!
I'm pleased with the low height. And tickled pink seeing the glass shelves being utilized too!
Total cost... $53.76 for the baskets. It was so reasonable that I treated myself with the picture rail shelf above... obviously I'm taking that "set limit" to it's maximum capacity. Maybe time to consider the quantity of family photos I like to display?
What do you think?
9.27.2012
Why my clothes are 2nd hand
Other than my fashionista sister's hand me downs, about 98% of the remaining clothes in my closet came from my favourite charity thrift shop. It's not that I HAVE to shop second hand, I actually prefer it.... and here is why:
#1 It feels good. The thrill of the hunt is exciting when there is only a 1ft long rack of shirts, and on that rack could be every colour, size and style from the last few decades! The mall just doesn't have that same feeling of victory when the "perfect" shirt shows up, AND the colour is great, AND the fabric is nice quality AND it even fits! The mall's endless stores with endless sizing is depressing to me somehow. I can't put my finger on it, but mall shopping leaves me feeling quite literally sick after a couple hours. Choice burn-out maybe?
#2 It feels good in another way too. By shopping at my favourite charity thrift store I am supporting their cause. It's nice to know my fashion choices are helping local causes.
#3 It feels good (again). That is to say, my "new" top did not use any extra resources to make, and it didn't need to get shipped either. I diverted this chunk of cotton (natural yes, but pesticide intensive to grow) from the landfill, and the more wear an item gets the less impact the original growth of that product equals per wear. I have to honest that I don't think about my cotton clothes' source terrible often, but when I do, I am happy that my thrift store gives me the chance to take my own environmental stance.
#4 My wallet feels good too. Finding that perfect shirt is always fun. Finding it at the thrift shop is always affordable - sometimes ridiculously cheap if there is a "sale" on. Name brands even! My wardrobe gets a lift and my wallet doesn't cry.
#5 I can walk away. Sometimes I DON'T find anything (wrong size, wrong material, bad fit, faded, whatever). And that's just fine. If that one rack doesn't have anything that day. Oh well. Maybe next time. The hunt is over and I didn't waste all day at it.
#6 I know what to expect. One of my pet peeves with buying new garments is that I am afraid what will happen when I wash them. Buying 2nd hand is a preview. Since they have already been washed, I know what the shape really will be. I also know if it will be prone to pilling, whether the buttons will stay on, if the seams are going to stand up and whether the zipper will continue working.
#7 If something happens, it's no big deal. Dog prints... cat claws... food stains... every article faces the risks if I'm wearing them. I do try to prevent these mishaps (because who wants to replace that hard-to-find item!) but when they happen I know I haven't wasted a ton of money on them.
#8 My inner minimalist is satisfied. I rarely get "attached" to the clothes (maybe because they are cheap and used to be someone else's?). Even my wedding dress I bought at a consignment shop (I thought it was romantic that another bride had been wed in it) and I consigned it at that same shop less that 6 months later (again I thought it would be romantic that someone else would have a special day in it). I can give up clothes easily! Those pants that no longer fit, that shirt that I no longer love, the dress that isn't my cup of tea anymore and I feel just fine about it. Bags head off to the same charity thrift shop.
I feel like I make a donation when I buy it and then make another donation when I drop the clothes off. Meanwhile I got the fun perk of having choices in my wardrobe. I can change size, cahnge styles, change favourite colurs and not have environmental (or financial) guilt about it. How cool is that?!
There are probably more subtle reasons to add too. Uniqueness of fashion, against the trend shopping, mall-anxiety avoidance, laziness (the charity thrift shop is by far the closest clothing retailer to where I live and right next to my bank and grocery store)... but those are the top 8 reasons.
#1 It feels good. The thrill of the hunt is exciting when there is only a 1ft long rack of shirts, and on that rack could be every colour, size and style from the last few decades! The mall just doesn't have that same feeling of victory when the "perfect" shirt shows up, AND the colour is great, AND the fabric is nice quality AND it even fits! The mall's endless stores with endless sizing is depressing to me somehow. I can't put my finger on it, but mall shopping leaves me feeling quite literally sick after a couple hours. Choice burn-out maybe?
#2 It feels good in another way too. By shopping at my favourite charity thrift store I am supporting their cause. It's nice to know my fashion choices are helping local causes.
#3 It feels good (again). That is to say, my "new" top did not use any extra resources to make, and it didn't need to get shipped either. I diverted this chunk of cotton (natural yes, but pesticide intensive to grow) from the landfill, and the more wear an item gets the less impact the original growth of that product equals per wear. I have to honest that I don't think about my cotton clothes' source terrible often, but when I do, I am happy that my thrift store gives me the chance to take my own environmental stance.
#4 My wallet feels good too. Finding that perfect shirt is always fun. Finding it at the thrift shop is always affordable - sometimes ridiculously cheap if there is a "sale" on. Name brands even! My wardrobe gets a lift and my wallet doesn't cry.
#5 I can walk away. Sometimes I DON'T find anything (wrong size, wrong material, bad fit, faded, whatever). And that's just fine. If that one rack doesn't have anything that day. Oh well. Maybe next time. The hunt is over and I didn't waste all day at it.
#6 I know what to expect. One of my pet peeves with buying new garments is that I am afraid what will happen when I wash them. Buying 2nd hand is a preview. Since they have already been washed, I know what the shape really will be. I also know if it will be prone to pilling, whether the buttons will stay on, if the seams are going to stand up and whether the zipper will continue working.
#7 If something happens, it's no big deal. Dog prints... cat claws... food stains... every article faces the risks if I'm wearing them. I do try to prevent these mishaps (because who wants to replace that hard-to-find item!) but when they happen I know I haven't wasted a ton of money on them.
#8 My inner minimalist is satisfied. I rarely get "attached" to the clothes (maybe because they are cheap and used to be someone else's?). Even my wedding dress I bought at a consignment shop (I thought it was romantic that another bride had been wed in it) and I consigned it at that same shop less that 6 months later (again I thought it would be romantic that someone else would have a special day in it). I can give up clothes easily! Those pants that no longer fit, that shirt that I no longer love, the dress that isn't my cup of tea anymore and I feel just fine about it. Bags head off to the same charity thrift shop.
I feel like I make a donation when I buy it and then make another donation when I drop the clothes off. Meanwhile I got the fun perk of having choices in my wardrobe. I can change size, cahnge styles, change favourite colurs and not have environmental (or financial) guilt about it. How cool is that?!
There are probably more subtle reasons to add too. Uniqueness of fashion, against the trend shopping, mall-anxiety avoidance, laziness (the charity thrift shop is by far the closest clothing retailer to where I live and right next to my bank and grocery store)... but those are the top 8 reasons.
9.26.2012
Density
Still swamped in boxes - 2 months after the move.
What is in all these carboard space-suckers?!
As I make the hard decisions about what will stay and what will be moving on, I find that the density of my stuff is increasing.
My husband put it perfectly, "The house is getting more homey but less roomy".
There has to be a way that we can keep the homey AND the roomy! With every item that is kept, there is a sacrifice of space and the time it takes to clean and maintain that item.
There is progress being made! Stuff is going out by the boxful every weekend. It just doesn't seem fast enough somehow. As this mighty mountain of boxes indicates.
How much of it is sentimental? Have I attached a moment of my life to the object that I am afraid to lose?
How much of it is habit? Am I keeping it because I've always had it?
How much of it is aspirational? Am I keeping it because I think I will read/play with/use it someday? Or that owning it fulfills some wish I had once?
What is certain is that the density of the stuff is getting too much. The spaces between the spaces is getting smaller with every unpacked box and I don't want that. I REALLY DON'T WANT THAT!
Enough is enough. I am drawing the line in the sand.
_______________________
What is in all these carboard space-suckers?!
As I make the hard decisions about what will stay and what will be moving on, I find that the density of my stuff is increasing.
My husband put it perfectly, "The house is getting more homey but less roomy".
There has to be a way that we can keep the homey AND the roomy! With every item that is kept, there is a sacrifice of space and the time it takes to clean and maintain that item.
There is progress being made! Stuff is going out by the boxful every weekend. It just doesn't seem fast enough somehow. As this mighty mountain of boxes indicates.
How much of it is sentimental? Have I attached a moment of my life to the object that I am afraid to lose?
How much of it is habit? Am I keeping it because I've always had it?
How much of it is aspirational? Am I keeping it because I think I will read/play with/use it someday? Or that owning it fulfills some wish I had once?
What is certain is that the density of the stuff is getting too much. The spaces between the spaces is getting smaller with every unpacked box and I don't want that. I REALLY DON'T WANT THAT!
Enough is enough. I am drawing the line in the sand.
_______________________
9.19.2012
Finding my feet
Moving has been a challenge.
Staging, packing, selling, more packing, moving, NOT unpacking because of renovating! But this delay in unpacking has been a blessing in disguise.
It has been more than 2 months now since we got possession of this house. And many more months since decluttering for staging of the old house.
That extended time without so much of my stuff has given me lots of time to reflect on my priorities.
So much of what I am clinging to in these countless boxes adds no really value to my day to day life. In fact it is a distraction from what I truly love!
With that in mind, my culling efforts have really picked up steam. The things that were crammed mercilessly into the old house do not belong in this home we are putting together here. Out of every box I am unpacking this last little while, about 1/2 is going straight into the "donate" pile. I have taken many more boxes to charity and bags of clothes too. (When I got here I was giddy about the walk in closet until it got too full to slide the hangers around... now they move freely, and giving each garment spece, shows more respect for the things I chose to keep.
I have not won the war yet, but I feel like each battle brings me closer to success. At this rate I will be able to get a much smaller bookcase than I first thought I needed... and more importantly, my neat freak husband may actually be able to find peace in the living room soon!
9.06.2012
Always a learning experience.
Moving is hard.
At least it is when there are 4 creative, active people that are attached to all their cool stuff!
We have been in our new home for more than a month and there have been speedbumps, potholes and fire-breathing dragons hindering our settling in (renovating hiccups and health stuff). There are still loads of boxes that are not unpacked! In my defense there are still areas of the home that aren't "done". Plumbing that needs moving, trim that needs adding, closets needing doors, so I can't put everything away yet and it's driving me nuts. Especially when I KNOW if I had less stuff it wouldn't be this hard so it's very much self inflicted!
I love this house and I want to stay here a very long time.
This is great news for decluttering, because I love the house more than anyof the stuff in it! So it's less difficult to make decisions... if it doesn't fit then it must be removed.
"When in doubt, cut it out!"
My mom says this used to be the policy for surgery in the 70's but I think it translates wonderfully for this situation.
There are many decorative items that I still like very much that went wonderfully in the old place, but just don't work here... I have already pared down quite a few with no regrets. If something pretty doesn't look pretty in the space then it just isn't doing it's job now is it?!
Primary Problem Areas: TOYS + BOOKS
(not all the toys are the kids, and not all the books are mine)
Books: without bookshelves I'm not sure I want to open those boxes. But if I can live over a month without these books... can I take the plunge and NOT open the boxes? Just let them go?
Toys: are just plain out of control. It will take extreme measures to hack at that mess, but then again I don't want to be insensitive to the amount of stress the move put on the kids already without stripping them of their things too. I will stage the rest of the home to the clutterless level I want and hopefully they will want to follow... with gentle encouragement and the tools they need.
At least it is when there are 4 creative, active people that are attached to all their cool stuff!
We have been in our new home for more than a month and there have been speedbumps, potholes and fire-breathing dragons hindering our settling in (renovating hiccups and health stuff). There are still loads of boxes that are not unpacked! In my defense there are still areas of the home that aren't "done". Plumbing that needs moving, trim that needs adding, closets needing doors, so I can't put everything away yet and it's driving me nuts. Especially when I KNOW if I had less stuff it wouldn't be this hard so it's very much self inflicted!
I love this house and I want to stay here a very long time.
This is great news for decluttering, because I love the house more than anyof the stuff in it! So it's less difficult to make decisions... if it doesn't fit then it must be removed.
"When in doubt, cut it out!"
My mom says this used to be the policy for surgery in the 70's but I think it translates wonderfully for this situation.
There are many decorative items that I still like very much that went wonderfully in the old place, but just don't work here... I have already pared down quite a few with no regrets. If something pretty doesn't look pretty in the space then it just isn't doing it's job now is it?!
Primary Problem Areas: TOYS + BOOKS
(not all the toys are the kids, and not all the books are mine)
Books: without bookshelves I'm not sure I want to open those boxes. But if I can live over a month without these books... can I take the plunge and NOT open the boxes? Just let them go?
Toys: are just plain out of control. It will take extreme measures to hack at that mess, but then again I don't want to be insensitive to the amount of stress the move put on the kids already without stripping them of their things too. I will stage the rest of the home to the clutterless level I want and hopefully they will want to follow... with gentle encouragement and the tools they need.
8.27.2012
buh-bye
The new fridge came last week so this one has been languishing.
My mom tried to talk me into keeping it as a overflow fridge in the garage!
Nope mom. I'm not keeping a gigantic, empty, hydro-sucking container "just in case".
Not a bad fridge really. Probably the best appliance that came with the house.
I put the ad on-line and within hours I had several request for views. The first person that showed up bought it and now it's out of my house! Victory!
8.16.2012
One Month Anniversary
It has been over a month since we bought this house.
Renovating Progress Report:
(It seemed reasonable to me that 2 weeks was enough time to paint and replace flooring. I thought with that nice 2 weeks we'd have a place to put furniture before we had to give up the other house. Defective flooring botched that plan. And delayed every other step)
What has been learned in the last month:
* It turns out that very little equipment is needed to make hearty meals every day. Sure I can't use the same spectrum of recipes I usually do, but I am getting by with one burner and the grille on the BBQ, a hose for water, a table as the prep surface (not ideal), 4 pots, and the trailer's sink for washing up (we were washing up outside but it was too hot). There is a plastic tote of necessities like cutting board, knife, can opener, grater, etc... and a cup, plate, bowl, and utensils for 4 people. Basic camping kitchen really. And I've been cooking that way now for 3 weeks. Sure we've ordered in a few times, but mostly it's all here.
It's amazing to me that anybody would want to do this renovating thing more than once.
+++++++++++++++++
Decluttering progress:
I called the "ReStore" (an non profit charity store that takes used building materials) and they hauled away a huge amount of the old kitchen! I also bribed them to come with the old washing machine, dryer and gas range (all in working order). I suppose we could have sold them, but that money would have easily been eaten up in the tipping fees at the dump getting rid of the other kitchen materials.
My brother in law took the dishwasher home with him
Large box of misc items no longer loved as I unpacked clothes into my new closet.
(I still have to find a bookshelf so I can unpack/cull the books)
Renovating Progress Report:
- Walls painted (and some trim)
- Most switches and plugs are replaced
- Half the light fixtures are replaced
- Floors are 100% redone
- Furniture is now in the proper rooms
- Kitchen is still not in, but at least most of the cabinets are assembled!
- Hotwater tank died rather quickly emergency plumbing was required
(It seemed reasonable to me that 2 weeks was enough time to paint and replace flooring. I thought with that nice 2 weeks we'd have a place to put furniture before we had to give up the other house. Defective flooring botched that plan. And delayed every other step)
What has been learned in the last month:
- Renovating takes lots and lots and then MORE money
- Never under-estimate the pervasive, destructive power of nicotine staining
- Anything that can be delayed will be delayed
- Just because something is new and expensive does not guarantee that it will be complete or without defects.
- It will take so very much longer than you imagined.
- Kitchen sinks are the single most under appreciated element of a kitchen.
- I don't need nearly as much gear as I thought to cook*
- Living out of a suitcase of clothes doesn't work when the weather changes
- Things you need are never in the first box you look in
* It turns out that very little equipment is needed to make hearty meals every day. Sure I can't use the same spectrum of recipes I usually do, but I am getting by with one burner and the grille on the BBQ, a hose for water, a table as the prep surface (not ideal), 4 pots, and the trailer's sink for washing up (we were washing up outside but it was too hot). There is a plastic tote of necessities like cutting board, knife, can opener, grater, etc... and a cup, plate, bowl, and utensils for 4 people. Basic camping kitchen really. And I've been cooking that way now for 3 weeks. Sure we've ordered in a few times, but mostly it's all here.
It's amazing to me that anybody would want to do this renovating thing more than once.
+++++++++++++++++
Decluttering progress:
I called the "ReStore" (an non profit charity store that takes used building materials) and they hauled away a huge amount of the old kitchen! I also bribed them to come with the old washing machine, dryer and gas range (all in working order). I suppose we could have sold them, but that money would have easily been eaten up in the tipping fees at the dump getting rid of the other kitchen materials.
My brother in law took the dishwasher home with him
Large box of misc items no longer loved as I unpacked clothes into my new closet.
(I still have to find a bookshelf so I can unpack/cull the books)
7.30.2012
We are in!
What a mess.... we are "in" the new house, but one delay after another has us still as squatters in the backyard.
Kitchen (but there is the BBQ and a hose outside)
Working complete bathroom (today the toilets go in, so we will have one bathroom that is 100% usable! ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO!)
Floors (the worst part because we can't really use the house until the floors happen. We HAD a couple pallets of bamboo strand, it was supposed to be installed last Monday, but it was defective in the clic part. THEN we had some maple, but they sent 2 different manufactureres that weren't compatable. As I type this a third attempt is being delivered.... if this doesn't work, I will be at my wit's end. On the bright side, finally as of this morning we have vinyl in the washrooms, and the cork in the bedrooms went down fast and easy.Moving the beds into the house was a real treat. Yay for floors!)
Window trim and baseboards (no foreseeable timeline for the finishing work.... oh well)
As for decluttering, I have been living as an extreme minimalist since the 25th.
Outside kitchen... kind of fun for the summer, I have to admit. In fact, I am tempted to cook like this every summer. A couple boxes of vital kitchen stuff, BBQ, microwave, kettle, hose and fridge. Hey, that' pretty civilized really!
Clothing is still the stuff in the suitcases that I packed the day before we moved. Like travelling, it's a hand-wash-then-hang situation until the washer and dryer get hooked up.
OH WAIT! Now the 20 year old hot water tank is leaking! Surprise! I guess that is another thing to add to the list.
Books. Sorry, they are all packed.
TV. Nope, it's not plugged in, I think it's in the garage, but not totally sure. Strangely, I'm not missing it thanks to the laptop and internet connection.
This experience has been valuable for identifying the difference between a want and a need.
As for decluttering, I have been living as an extreme minimalist since the 25th.
Outside kitchen... kind of fun for the summer, I have to admit. In fact, I am tempted to cook like this every summer. A couple boxes of vital kitchen stuff, BBQ, microwave, kettle, hose and fridge. Hey, that' pretty civilized really!
Clothing is still the stuff in the suitcases that I packed the day before we moved. Like travelling, it's a hand-wash-then-hang situation until the washer and dryer get hooked up.
OH WAIT! Now the 20 year old hot water tank is leaking! Surprise! I guess that is another thing to add to the list.
Books. Sorry, they are all packed.
TV. Nope, it's not plugged in, I think it's in the garage, but not totally sure. Strangely, I'm not missing it thanks to the laptop and internet connection.
This experience has been valuable for identifying the difference between a want and a need.
7.18.2012
Not quite the plan, but not bad either
I have been decluttering in a way I didn't expect. One of the big sheds out in the new backyard was crammed FULL of boxes that didn't belong to us. That is an 8x10x6 foot storage shed!
While the painters were slaving away inside the house, I made it my job to clear out that shed.
It seems the person who filled the shed had a crafting "problem". It looks like she may have been in the Christmas craft fair circuit because she had bins and bins of new, still-in-the-package notions and beeds and glittery things and glue guns/sticks.... many pounds of them! Since I have no desire to start up these hobbies, I got to emptying the bins into sturdy boxes to take to charity. Along with many boxes of books and clothing and other season craft supplies, I took THREE truck loads of donations to charity!
There is also a box full of family photos that I will be delivering to the seller's realtor.
Unfortunately there is at least 3 full-sized garbage cans of undonatable trash too.... I feel bad about the ruined books most of all.
What did I get for my efforts?
a very nice large lead crystal vase.
12 (now empty) gigantic heavy duty totes (they will come in handy for the move)
some of the cuter craft supplies for my neices (limited to one box)
some good quality christmas items that I actually like
2 evening dresses that are going to be fun as halloween costumes
a pair of cowboy boots that are AWESOME, unique and fit great
a pair of dress shoes that have a special something-something and fit great.
a big bag of rags for the garage
I could have kept more stuff that had potential... but I wanted to be brutal and I was!
Now the shed is ready to be used as a transtion space for my family's belongings while we wait for our house to be done. After that, it will be my oldest boy's workshop!
While the painters were slaving away inside the house, I made it my job to clear out that shed.
It seems the person who filled the shed had a crafting "problem". It looks like she may have been in the Christmas craft fair circuit because she had bins and bins of new, still-in-the-package notions and beeds and glittery things and glue guns/sticks.... many pounds of them! Since I have no desire to start up these hobbies, I got to emptying the bins into sturdy boxes to take to charity. Along with many boxes of books and clothing and other season craft supplies, I took THREE truck loads of donations to charity!
There is also a box full of family photos that I will be delivering to the seller's realtor.
Unfortunately there is at least 3 full-sized garbage cans of undonatable trash too.... I feel bad about the ruined books most of all.
What did I get for my efforts?
a very nice large lead crystal vase.
12 (now empty) gigantic heavy duty totes (they will come in handy for the move)
some of the cuter craft supplies for my neices (limited to one box)
some good quality christmas items that I actually like
2 evening dresses that are going to be fun as halloween costumes
a pair of cowboy boots that are AWESOME, unique and fit great
a pair of dress shoes that have a special something-something and fit great.
a big bag of rags for the garage
I could have kept more stuff that had potential... but I wanted to be brutal and I was!
Now the shed is ready to be used as a transtion space for my family's belongings while we wait for our house to be done. After that, it will be my oldest boy's workshop!
7.07.2012
Goal #21 More stuff that I can let go
I just realized something!
This house that we are moving to (being one level) will need less of the supplies that our current multi-level house does!
For 13 years I have required nail clippers, a brush, scissors, hammer, screwdrivers, tape, and miscellanous other hardware and personal grooming supplies on each floor. Sheer laziness on my part but effective at preventing procrastination by having these things on-hand.
How liberating it will be to only have ONE place for these things!
Goal #21 Let go of redundant items
I will need to go through the junk drawers and baskets to gather the handy tools together and choose only the BEST to take with me to the new house.
This house that we are moving to (being one level) will need less of the supplies that our current multi-level house does!
For 13 years I have required nail clippers, a brush, scissors, hammer, screwdrivers, tape, and miscellanous other hardware and personal grooming supplies on each floor. Sheer laziness on my part but effective at preventing procrastination by having these things on-hand.
How liberating it will be to only have ONE place for these things!
Goal #21 Let go of redundant items
I will need to go through the junk drawers and baskets to gather the handy tools together and choose only the BEST to take with me to the new house.
7.02.2012
It's REALLY happening!
We have SOLD the house!
Now we have exactly 24 days to pack up and move out.
LET THE CRITCAL PURGING BEGIN!!!!!
I am determined NOT to move anything that won't fit in the new place.
I vow to NOT bring anything I have outgrown literally or figuritively.
I will NOT to move anything that I do not find useful or beautiful.
(the other family members may have a different plan, but I will lead by example here)
Now we have exactly 24 days to pack up and move out.
LET THE CRITCAL PURGING BEGIN!!!!!
I am determined NOT to move anything that won't fit in the new place.
I vow to NOT bring anything I have outgrown literally or figuritively.
I will NOT to move anything that I do not find useful or beautiful.
(the other family members may have a different plan, but I will lead by example here)
6.24.2012
Put Your Mind to It
I felt inspired this weekend to re-find my decluttering mo-jo.
The results speak for themselves....
12 pairs of socks - removed from the sock drawer
3 wheelbarrow loads of trimmings and weeds - taken off the property
And for serious progress... I was driving along and saw a bunch of furniture with a FREE sign on the side of a rural road. I had to check it out. Ugly coffee table, particle board dresser, a country style side board (pine maybe) and 2 FREE solid oak chest of drawers. They had tremendous potential - a little water damage and someone had shortened the legs but the style was pleasing and the brass keyholes and dovetail joining made me weak. Yes I stopped and considered them carefully, but - I left by the side of the road... so that counts as preemptive-strike decluttering!
I put my mind to it and got results. Hoorah!
The results speak for themselves....
12 pairs of socks - removed from the sock drawer
3 wheelbarrow loads of trimmings and weeds - taken off the property
And for serious progress... I was driving along and saw a bunch of furniture with a FREE sign on the side of a rural road. I had to check it out. Ugly coffee table, particle board dresser, a country style side board (pine maybe) and 2 FREE solid oak chest of drawers. They had tremendous potential - a little water damage and someone had shortened the legs but the style was pleasing and the brass keyholes and dovetail joining made me weak. Yes I stopped and considered them carefully, but - I left by the side of the road... so that counts as preemptive-strike decluttering!
I put my mind to it and got results. Hoorah!
6.22.2012
Out the Window
Goals, decluttering... all that good stuff is out the window right now.
There is no room for it with the trying to sell our house.
Okay that's not TOTALLY honest. I have moved out about 10 pounds of books to donate to the elementary school library and a couple bags of clothes that I no longer love or the kids have outgrown.
So the one and only goal is SELL THE HOUSE.
I feel hog tied with this goal though... the house is prepped, primped and priced to sell.... but I can force no one to view or make an offer or give me their money. Strangely the market has suddenly been FLOODED with listings driving the prices waaaaay down compared to even last year. My poor sister is feeling like a sucker for buying a home just 12 months ago (similar to mine) for $50G MORE than it would be worth today. But hey the pickings were really slim 12 months ago in this neighbourhood and she does LOVE her house, so it's no use having regrets about something so out of her control.
Out of control.... yes that's exactly what it is and it's a feeling I'm not comfortable with.
After all, this house is staged, it's bright, a great neighbourhood, quite new and has all the storage one could want in a family home. The inability to make people come see is devistating to my sense of self somehow.
But I digress.
This blog is about finding a minimalism that fits for me.
I will look again at my closet and remove the tattered, ill fitting and ugly.
I will look again at my books and decide which ones I can live without, or that can easily be put on my e-reader instead of taking up physical space.
I will find more DVDs to cull, I have the library to get them from now anyways.
I will go through the "just in case" supplies and remove the ones that only go with this house that we are living anyways.
I will streamline my digital photos to a better quality standard.
And that will have to do for now.
Until I move.
There is no room for it with the trying to sell our house.
Okay that's not TOTALLY honest. I have moved out about 10 pounds of books to donate to the elementary school library and a couple bags of clothes that I no longer love or the kids have outgrown.
So the one and only goal is SELL THE HOUSE.
I feel hog tied with this goal though... the house is prepped, primped and priced to sell.... but I can force no one to view or make an offer or give me their money. Strangely the market has suddenly been FLOODED with listings driving the prices waaaaay down compared to even last year. My poor sister is feeling like a sucker for buying a home just 12 months ago (similar to mine) for $50G MORE than it would be worth today. But hey the pickings were really slim 12 months ago in this neighbourhood and she does LOVE her house, so it's no use having regrets about something so out of her control.
Out of control.... yes that's exactly what it is and it's a feeling I'm not comfortable with.
After all, this house is staged, it's bright, a great neighbourhood, quite new and has all the storage one could want in a family home. The inability to make people come see is devistating to my sense of self somehow.
But I digress.
This blog is about finding a minimalism that fits for me.
I will look again at my closet and remove the tattered, ill fitting and ugly.
I will look again at my books and decide which ones I can live without, or that can easily be put on my e-reader instead of taking up physical space.
I will find more DVDs to cull, I have the library to get them from now anyways.
I will go through the "just in case" supplies and remove the ones that only go with this house that we are living anyways.
I will streamline my digital photos to a better quality standard.
And that will have to do for now.
Until I move.
5.29.2012
A 1000 Mile Journey
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
-by Confucius
If listing my home was the first step... the rest is surely a thousand mile journey.
Showing after showing... teasing us with repeat viewings and promises of wanting to buy (when they sell their own place).
Good news, the house is very clean and perfectly balanced with belongings (aka clutterless).
Bad news is that I am so stressed out about what we are committed to (and still no offers).
There is still time I have to repeat over and over, "there is still time" to keep from panicking.
So universe, hear my call: "One safe, bright, friendly home needs a new family to enjoy it, ASAP."
And once this call has been answered I can focus on the next leg of my journey, renovating.
If listing my home was the first step... the rest is surely a thousand mile journey.
Showing after showing... teasing us with repeat viewings and promises of wanting to buy (when they sell their own place).
Good news, the house is very clean and perfectly balanced with belongings (aka clutterless).
Bad news is that I am so stressed out about what we are committed to (and still no offers).
There is still time I have to repeat over and over, "there is still time" to keep from panicking.
So universe, hear my call: "One safe, bright, friendly home needs a new family to enjoy it, ASAP."
And once this call has been answered I can focus on the next leg of my journey, renovating.
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