I know, I know - it's been a while

 Well, almost a year if I'm honest.

It's been quite a full on time and that hasn't abated yet, but it's time to grasp the nettle and just write...

It's a weird kind of coincidence that I started thinking about getting back to this blog and musing about what to write on Saturday morning during ParkRun. Having just opened my blog I see that it's virtually the last thing I wrote about before disappearing without trace on here.

I have been struggling to find time to write especially as I wanted to keep my SubStack going. So, I've decided on a plan... Great what running along the beachfront can do once your lungs get fresh air and the sun hits tour back...

I've been diving off in so many directions that I can't keep up with myself.... So I'm going to simplify things to make life easier and the writing under control.

The SubStack writing was going haywire, with too many different strands. I felt good about getting something written each week, but the stress of juggling with topics and voices was too much. In order to keep it managable I've reverted to writing about just one thing each week. It needed to be something with a common theme where I already had some draft material to fall back on when life gets in the way.

So, I've gone right back to the beginning of the writing I did on this blog about eating the tidying/finances elephant one bite at a time. It's serving more than one purpose in that it's keeping me writing to a schedule so that that get it out there muscle doesn't slacken off. In addition it's keeping the SubStack going, even though I think it's only my loyal family reading it along with a couple of others. This way if I approach growing the membership in a more structured way, the material will already be building up in an archive. Finally, it's making me re-read and re-structure the work so that it's easier to convert into an e-book when I'm done.

It was always my intention to try and collate the ideas into a book. This way I'm writing it, ready for editing and polishing in small steps - one bite at a time you might say!

Now my BIG project is that I want to start a business. Don't know why and don't know why now! The problem is I've got so many different ideas that I'm not sure where to go with it, or even what type of business it's going to be. I'm going to record my progress with it here so that in the same way as the Elephant book, it can grow into another ebook once I've got to the end to see if it was a daft idea or not.

A while ago I did some ghost writing for an organising website which I enjoyed immensely until the owner of the website decided to go all AI and disposed of her human writers. The website is American and so it could be that a UK version would be good. It would allow me to use all the draft material and ideas that I built up as well as organised the content ready for publication. But would it be for subscribers only, or in a newsletter, or as an ebook, or supported by paid for printables? Hmmm...

Then I have a whole lot of '10 Things to Do with/Ways to...' that are in the same saved folder. They could be a good resource, especially if they came with downloadable printables too...

Or perhaps I ought to write some more Phonics materials with downloads for practise or video content to help with early readers....

Then there's the possibility of creating courses in some of the things I've delivered as a schools' consultant or advice on...

You see my dilemma...

I need to do this properly as dabbling about all over the place has only led me to confusion and lots of saved files and folders with valuable, but muddled content. This will mean some research and learning. Time spent now on deciding on platforms, selling, marketing and so on - even though I have no product yet - can only pay off.

There's also all the decluttered stuff from the loft (and if truth be known a lot of the rest of the family's throw outs), waiting to be repurposed and reworked. That would produce a physical product as well as material on making various creations - again with instructions, downloads, patterns, videos.. Ooooh - where to start.

While I'm making these first decisions I need to carry on clearing. Lots of things are selling online through platforms that make the job easy. I've also been listing some of the things I've made perticularly for craft fairs that are just lurking in the loft. I just haven't got around to going to many or organising the stock effectively. Interestingly enough the bags that I've listed online are selling quickly with some people asking if I have more.. perhaps that's a good place to start.

So, enough rambling. Plan of action.

Number One - I need to sit myself down and design a work schedule with set times for concentrating on the start up. Once I've carved up that time I need to go through all the multifarious emails and webpages I've been saving up to read and work from.

Then I'm going to list all the possible businesses and decide which one to pursue. At least with a list, if one doesn't come off I'll have already done the thinking about other ideas to start with something else.

That to me seems a sensible starting point, so on that note, I'll stop rabbitting on and get my head down to some serious planning..

I'll let you know how it goes!

Focus, focus, focus

 I know I've been trying to get sorted by attacking things in s small steps, random kind of way. Up to now it's been fine, but I'm just getting in a sort of muddle. 

While we were on holiday I took this photo from behind a fountain. It sort of sums up where my head is at! I'm standing in a shady sort of place, peering out at the sunny, organised landscape beyond with a watery obstacle getting in the way....

So, what to do about it. Well, I've decided the only thing to do is to focus.

There are a number of areas I've been hitting on and making a bit of progress, however the time has come for more of a concerted effort.

This week I've been concentrating on clothes. After my last post about selling on those that are no longer in use or refashioning them into something else I paused to empty and sort out all my drawers and wardrobe. I've had everything out and found not one, but two empty drawers for all those unwanted items (and those from the rest of the family) as I list them. That having been done the clothes for recycling into other things are nestling in the loft with the craft stuff ready for when it's time for them.

I will get a chance to organise those bits a little as I've got Sunday to myself, but by and large I'm focussing on getting rid of the surplus first.

There were also a few odds and ends of non-wearable stuff knocking around. There aren't enough books/CDs/DVDs at the moment to make up a box to send off so they have joined the 'sales' drawers. Finally I discovered a box of greetings cards that I'd made over time. Before they can be added to the 'sales warehouse' I need to explore how to sell these. 

I know my sister and I are planning on a craft stall nearer to Christmas, I want though to slim these down sooner if possible. So, it could be time for me to stop prevaricating about my Etsy shop. Grab the design brief by the throat and get on with it....

So, although I've not posted for a while, this is a short and sweet one as I'm about to attack my Etsy shop and get it up and running properly. Once it's sorted I'll be back and who knows I might even manage to organise a link to it so you can see how far I've got!

Catching up...

 It's been quite a couple of weeks so I haven't got to posting lately! I do have good reason though with Mum firstly being hospitalised and then re-acclimatising to being home along with decorating the spare bedroom. Still, I was spurred into action by an email reminding me about a forthcoming dental check up and hygenist appointment.

I'm not sure who scares me the most.. the dentist (he's a really nice man, but he wields all the weapons of torture when necessary) or the hygenist (who is really deadpan and issues warnings about bits of cleaning I've missed and I feel like he'll report me to some higher authority).

With that in mind I really should sharpen up my dental routines. I do all the necessary brushing, but the interdental cleaning gets a bit hit and miss. So, as part of my getting sorted with regard to health, I'm making a real effort with my mini brushes and remembering to use them every day.

Hope I get a gold star when I go to my appointments!

I mentioned a little while ago that I'd taught myself to crochet. I did start experimenting with more shaped pieces and thought I'd give socks a go. I bought a how-to magazine, but got in such a muddle with the heel that I had took pity on myself and turned the work in progress into wrist warmers instead!

As it happened there was also enough of the same yarn to make a matching cowl so win-win there!

This post is a bit short of necessity as I'm still catching up with housework, writing, planning and so on left over from the time it takes to hospital visit when the venue is twenty miles each way. In addition it's pretty essential to hang around when there's no indication of discharge and you don't want to get caught halfway home and then have to turn round and retrace your steps!

So I'm off to plan out where my writing is going, both here, on Substack and with the ebook I've started. Then sort out my old Pinterest pages into something coherent.

Just a short job list eh?

Wish me luck!

Getting it Sorted - Best Foot Forward

 It was daft really. Writing about my sister and her shoes and not starting from there myself. After all, they take up far more room than nail polish and the choices about what to keep and those to throw are far more straightforward.

So, this week the shoe rack has been emptied...

What made the task easier was the fact that the weather has definitely changed so the summer stuff needs storing away - and at least one pair that have still been in use, while only just surviving the ravages of use (and age) isn't worth saving till next year!

I've sorted, thrown and given away some and still have plenty to wear - result - I'm very happy and they are all organised and ready to go.

I also delved into the loft a while back to unearth some rather nice boxes and old wrapping/craft paper. During the recent half term these made it over for one of my sister's childcare occasions when all the relevant parents were working.

They all had individual approaches to covering their boxes with a patchwork of scraps creating their own personal storage boxes. It was not only a fun way to while away a rainy afternoon, but it also cost absolutely nothing as I had the scraps, boxes and PVA glue and found some wooden letters in my card making stores.

 

One great niece chose to cut small pieces choosing the pictures she liked, another decided to go for strips, whilst the 4 year old watched them use the PVA on the paper scraps and they position them onto the boxes. She decided there was a better method. First she pasted a small area of PVA onto the box, then cut out a shape or picture to fit and finally put it onto the pasted surface. It was quick, efficient and far less messy than the other two!

When it came to sticking their coloured, wooden intials onto the boxes, the oldest pair put theirs on the top of the boxes, but the littlest one went for the front 'cos that's where you look to open it!'

(I know the Z is reversed, but that's a normal trait for this particular great niece - as I say, they are all very individual!)

Right, now to tackle this week's Substack offering... I hope you get the chance to check it out. Last week I added the first in the series about helping the process of learning to read with phonics as a building block....

Right, so why can't I settle to write?

 It's a mystery to me that with all the thoughts buzzing in my head, I'm finding it so difficult to get down to recording some of them! I've also been a bit all over the place with my blood pressure and anxiety, not to mention lack of sleep and have been searching for reasons for it all....

Not my usual thinking space I know, but local enough to use....

I've been taking a bit of a break from being so organised. Trying to go with the flow.. opening the fridge/freezer just before dinner to decide what to have, nabbing bits of time to jot down ideas, not sticking to a rough schedule for housework and so on. I think this might be part of the problem!

I mentioned last time about grouping, sorting and organising (even if putting things away could be a bit of a trial) and now I realise how important my routine, rituals and planning are to me. I'm one of those people who can't work unless their desk space is tidy, not as a delaying move, more a 'I can't operate my brain with all this mess' kind of move. There are those around me who don't see my tidy space as they would like theirs - whatever works for me I say.

Anyway, I've decided to get back on track I need to regroup and refocus in order to get working efficiently (or at all) again. I also think this drifting has left me feeling without control and added to the aformentioned anxiety and blood pressure problems. So, it's back to the roughly planned menus, the cleaned up house and goodbye to the 'I'll wait till there's a pile' ironing and the 'I'll clean up when we've finished this next task' mentality.

With that in mind I'm off to finish the ironing, clean the bedrooms, hang up the washing that's just finished and then, with mind clear, properly plan the forthcoming blog posts, Pinterest boards and Substack..

The creativity black hole might also be due to another little health question - all about hearing aids that one, but I rush ahead here - more later.... Back to the chores.

I'll be back soon with the grand plan all ready and raring to go..

Watch this space!

Giving without spending!

Okay, ready for some more quick catch-ups from my notes?

Here goes, then.

Month 11 - Bite 10

I questioned myself last time about donating stuff I didn't need while buying two for one items. The donation bins at the supermarket were for food so I did have some toiletries on two for one along with some perfectly good items, still in their wrappings from my sort out last month.

I noticed while in town that one of the shops is taking toiletries for their hygiene bank to pass on to those who need them, so no prizes where I'm heading today with my little collection.

Month 11 - Bite 11

The task in hand today is defrosting the freezer and checking my food cupboards. While I know that the freezer stuff can't be passed on, there are some tins and packs in the cupboard that I bought, thinking we'd try them and we didn't! Rather than trek up to the supermarket I'm off to the local community larder that takes surplus food and gives it away to try and stem the food waste that otherwise goes in the bin.

Month 11 - Bite 12

Finding out day next. After volunteering for years it's somehow gone by the wayside a bit so this is a bit of a prompt for me to start again. I could volunteer to help with ParkRun, but as I tend to decide whether I'm going or not on a fairly ad hoc basis that's not really helpful when planning dates. There are, however, other opportunities so I'm going to research a bit more and then dive in.

One easy activity is down at the beach. There's a supply of litter picking equipment by the cafe there so it looks like that'll be first on my list... and a good excuse to walk along the seafront too!

Month 11 - Bite 13

I was scrolling through some of the surveys that I signed up for earlier in the year. Some have been pretty fruitful while others seemed to want loads of time for very little in the way of points. I want to settle down today and go through all the sites I signed up for, check how economic it is in terms of time doing the surveys and then leave those that aren't really worth it. That leaves the question of what to do about the points that I've earned so far. It'll take me a month of Sundays to earn enough points for anything, however I noticed a while back that there are much lower points thresholds for giving to charity.

As I decide which survey sites I'm not going to continue with I can sift through and donate any spare or random points I've accrued. That way I'll have tidied up my inbox and made sure that the charities they support get something too.

Month 11 - Bite 14

As well as signing up for a pile of surveys way back I also started sending for freebies. So far I've only registered for those I'll use or know someone who'll want the items. From today I'm going to start sending for other things that can then be passed on or donated when they arrive.

 

Lighting up Time

 Just now when we're getting used to the clocks changing and the timing of darkness falling (well, when I started writing this anyway), here's a quick one I've just completed.

Month 10 - Bite 27

Decorating meant getting the light fittings down so they didn't get covered in paint. Obviously, they were all cleaned up before being replaced. It did remind me though, that in my efforts to keep the place tidy and clean during the decorating process I hadn't been that fussy about ALL the dusting.

Today then, I'm attacking all the light bulbs - and boy, are some of them dusty! If the light and energy from the bulbs in going into their dust blankets, then I can't be surprised if the lighting is a bit dim and the bulbs are working harder to shine....

Clean and Tidy

Now onto a few tasks I find boring, but quite pleased when they are done! It's a bit more maintenance and tidying which doesn't sound like it's greatly financially rewarding. However, with these jobs off the list it means that a whole host of bits and pieces are put to bed for the winter in a way that means they won't need replacing next year - and that can only be a real life saving!

Month 10 - Bite 8

Driving home yesterday and noticing that one of the running light bulbs is out reminded me that a proper winter check is due. Not the drive-it-into-a-main-agent just to hear a whole load of expensive 'you-ought-tos'. A simple checking over at home so... I need to test all the lights (including the fog lights that I so rarely use) and pop out to replace any that are needed. A search for the ice cover, scraper, screen wash and so on are on the list so they are ready and waiting when the time comes. Then an oil check and washer bottle top up and I should be good to go.

Month 10 - Bite 9

 

The garage is today's port of call. 

Since we've now finished the decorating all those tools and materials can be safely cleaned up and stashed away. I know there's a growing pile of paint cans, but I've got a plan for those in next month's round up so it's just a matter of storing them away along with a collection of sheets, towels and tennis balls. Sounds an odd selection but bear with me on this one.

The garden chairs, ladders, outside table and lawn mower can be cleaned and put in their hibernation locations - although I know the mower will be called into action again before the final winter slowdown in growth.

Month 10 - Bite 10

Now onto the shed while I'm in an outside tidying mood!

There's still a number of gardening tasks to be done, but I'm getting started on checking and cleaning the tools and equipment, sorting out the bamboo canes, that kind of thing. As I mentioned earlier, keeping what we already have in good condition is always going to be cheaper than having to go out and buy new because it's rusted or blocked or whatever. I'm not talking about replacing worn out stuff, just making sure that what we've got lasts as long as possible in good condition.

By hanging much of our stuff on hooks it doesn't rest on the floor and has good airflow around each item to keep off the mould, damp and wet - it is a shed after all.

The secateurs, shears, etc. need attention today for sharpening and then we know they'll be ready for action in the spring.

Month 10 - Bite 11

Finally, in this section, it's the cuttings. The plants we saved last year meant that we didn't have to spend out to fill all our pots. They are far too large to save this year by bringing them inside - the shed isn't that big! So, as I've mentioned previously, cuttings have been struck and planted. 

They are thriving well and growing strongly at the moment. Of course, they'll need protection as the weather gets colder and darker, so today's mission is to track down and organise the insulating materials used before. This comprises of wood or small crates to layer bubble wrap on to cover the cuttings without touching the leaves - and the bubble wrap itself of course. With that to hand the plants have a fighting chance of gracing the garden next year.

Buying and Selling

 Month 8 - Bite 5

Right, now back to that pile of stuff from the bedroom tidy (and any other items you may have gathered up while the urge to declutter was upon the household.)

Are there any toys or clothes that would be good enough to sell?

Decide on how you're going to do it and involve those throwing the things away in the process. You might decide on an auction site or social media platform. Do it together and you could offer to pass any profits on to the person that donated them to the 'chuck' pile. Or you might all decide that the proceeds from any sales will fund a special day out at the end of the break.

It might be that there is so much that a table or boot sale is more suitable. Do some research together and plan it, sooner rather than later. Book it onto your calendar and start pricing and packing everything.

Month 8 - Bite 6

Of course you may have some friends and their offspring that have also had a tidy up. What about getting in touch and joining some other like minded souls for a giant clothes and toy swap? That way everyone could enjoy some time together (don't forget some cake), find some new possessions and have a play - and that's only the adults - only kidding!

If the weather's good put some sheets or blankets out in the garden and lay everything out for all to see. You might need some rules (no grabbing your old stuff back, only so many items per participant - you decide), but it's a good way of enjoying part of a day and getting some new stuff for nothing (well apart from the cake).

Month 8 - Bite 7

There will be some items that you would rather donate so ask those who've contributed their off casts where they would like their donations to go. Check that whichever charity or shop is open and receiving donated stock and when the best time is to deliver it. Now do it all together. There's nothing like your goods being warmly received to make children (and adults) want to help again. They might even want to find out a bit more about how their gifts will benefit others once you get home.

One for the Kids

 Okay, so we're on to Month 8!

Another playful, cuddly elephant for this month. I know I have been trying to make most of these ideas non-particular-month-specific, but as I write schools' out and thoughts of entertaining our younger family are at the forefront of the mind. Especially now my younger niece and her crew are due to arrive from Italy to swell the throng.

I've tried for this month to mix a range of free/cheap activities that we have tried in the past and are planning for now. The age range of our lot is quite wide and not all the activities will appeal to all of them. That's life! Still let's get on with the first batch...

Month 8 - Bite 1

This opening activity will seem a bit odd as we're beginning by thinking of the end of the holiday. No, it's not like in the shops, where as soon as term breaks up the advertising for 'Back to School' starts appearing. While we're all keen and excited we like to start to build a stock for the end of the holidays. Today sees a concerted effort to gather together the first components of the 'end of the Holiday Box'.

There's lots of bits and pieces around - craft stuff, colouring sheets, templates, that between all the family we're putting together. Books that were on sale go into the mix as do any puzzles, games and so on that we pick up in the first few days. The web needs searching for downloadables (you won't believe how much is out there) which are printed off and saved.

As other ideas crop up (along with any special bits and pieces that might get acquired from gift shops or outings) they get squirrelled away too.

All of these get put away ready for the end of the holiday when inspiration begins to wane, other tasks need to be accomplished ready for school or even the weather refuses to co-operate.

You'll thank me for this one later I promise.

Month 8 - Bite 2

Time to get out of the house and go for a walk. It doesn't matter where or for how long. It's time for a stretch and an explore of what's around locally. With all the to-ing and fro-ing that accompanies the frenzy of the end of the school year a  nice walk and chat is welcome. It provides the chance to talk over what's happened in the past few months, what might lie ahead and what they'd like to do during the break (don't forget to make a note of the ideas - they might surprise you with how simple the things they come up with are). It also creates an opportunity to revisit and remember those facilities and amenities that might exist close by.

Month 8 - Bite 3

An at home day today. A sorting out day! Release them into the wild that is their bedroom(s). 

How about emptying all their cupboards, wardrobes, shelves, bookcases, everything? Now they get to look at all the stuff around. Will they discover toys and games that have been forgotten? Decide there are clothes that no longer fit? Laugh at the thought of ever playing with some things again? See something their sibling wants to throw away that they'd like?

At the end of the voyage of discovery all the items they want to keep can be carefully replaced and stored and it should leave a pile of discards (especially with some encouragement).

What will you do with them.. well we'll get to that later.....

Clear Vision

 

For the next couple of bites I'm turning my attention to all those screens and gadgets that seem to have pushed their way into modern life!

Month 4 - Bite 12

When I was working full time and using the mobile and computers constantly I often mis-typed or mis-read information and now and again my fingers didn't seem to command my messages as well as I thought they should. My nieces have multiple examples of texts and messages referring to having a mice holiday or some other such typo and were thinking of saving them for a book which would also include all those occasions where I hadn't noticed the predictive text had taken over with hilarious results...

When this happened a lot I realised that the screens needed attention - my lack of clarity in taps and reading were due to smeary screens in a lot of cases. It's okay when it's between us and creates a laugh, but there are times when the odd wrong tap on the touchscreen can insert the wrong detail, digit or information - don't want that to cost any time or money.

Since I retired I still seem to spend a lot of time online, but I haven't paid as much attention to the condition of the screens as I should. Reading an e-book lately I noticed the print was again getting difficult to read - time for action. So, today it's out with the cleaning materials/lint free cloth and on with the clearing of the screens. Then any mistakes will just be up to me, I guess....

Month 4 - Bite 13

The previous task set me thinking about how often I use my devices. I thought I was charging them rather a lot because the batteries were getting old, but maybe it's because I'm just using them too much.

It's not the purposeful tasks that are using up the energy. It's the mindless checking and rechecking of emails, social media and the such like. I'm therefore adding monitoring my screentime to the joblist with the intention of cutting down on the frequency of accessing the internet. I suppose it got a lot worse with the pandemic - checking data, reports, seeing if family members were ok, that sort of thing. Now there's the current world situation too. I'm not sure these constant referrals to wall to wall news reports are doing me any good so tackling this need to endlessly look at what's going on can only improve my mental health and finances too. Don't get me wrong, I don't intend to cut myself off from what's going on, just to cut down on my far too frequent need to know. 

Going online needs to be purposeful for me from now on.

                                                        

Fully Loaded

 When the lockdowns started I went mad with cleaning! Every day the dishwasher went on regardless of what was in it and I put the drainer in too just to make sure all the kitchen stuff was as clean as I could get it. 

Now while I still want everything hygienic and clean it's not really necessary to go overboard.

Month 4 - Bite 10

I need to take a look at how we use the dishwasher.

Am I filling it sufficiently each day to warrant running it? Or should I reassess what's there each night to see if a hand wash would be more economical while staying effective? Today I need to start investigating!

The Boring Essentials

 Now I didn't mind the gathering together of all the instruction manuals or reading through to find the most economical/environmentally friendly way of using all the household devices. However, the routine maintenance sort of got shelved a bit. Yes, I do defrost the freezer to make sure it runs at its peak - although ours is rather old and tends to ice up so it rather reminds me to do it automatically.

So...

Month 4 - Bite 9

Dealing with the boring essentials of maintenance is today's must do. These need more attention than I give them or they can be quite literally a drain on efficiency and therefore cost.

I'm pretty good at replenishing dishwasher salt....

Once again there's a handy little light to remind me when it's needed, but the drain needs checking more often I'm sure.

The same goes for the washing machine, so that's on the list for now too.

                                                      

I only have one burning question.. if these things are so darned important, why are they always so difficult to reach?!

Zen ironing and the joy of slow hoovering

 Month 4 - Bite 5

I've already touched on batch ironing previously. It's not my most favourite occupation I'll freely admit. I usually put the TV on as a sort of wallpaper while I tackle it. However I think I'm missing a trick. There are one or two podcasts I enjoy - by Jen Carrington and Sara Tasker mainly. I regularly download them and then forget to listen to them leaving me with a whole pile of unheard broadcasts.

Instead of flicking from one TV channel to the next I should really be clearing my backlog of podcasts - so that's what I'm going to make my next target. That way I can get stuck into a pile of ironing using the electricity efficiently while concentrating on the words of wisdom in my ears.

That's not the only task for today though. I read a while ago that rushing at hoovering doesn't actually maximise the cleaning potential of the machine. Apparently to get the most out of your hoover/dyson/whatever the passes over the carpets and floors need to be slower and more deliberate so that the brushes pick up as much dirt, fluff and dust as they can for as deep as they go. So, once that pile of ironing has shrunk I'm off for a spot of slow hoovering to get the most out of the chore and presumably if you do it more thoroughly it won't need to be done so often. (I haven't any evidence for that bit, just wishful thinking!)

Narnia could be in there, but you'd have trouble finding it...

 Month 2 - Bite 11

I did brave the clothing stockpile and remove everything from it's hiding place and was even more surprised than I thought I'd be by how much I had!

The shoes were the first for examination. Those on the shoe racks were fine, they are all in regular use and essential - you can't wear furry boots on the tennis court and the trail running shoes don't match any evening dresses if you know what I mean?

Then I turned my attention to all those in the coat cupboard.... how could I have forgotten two pairs of boots or the shoes I used to wear to work. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have shoe shopping sprees and many of those in the cupboard are around ten years old (some older). I guess, because I have so many they never got worn out! 

Now I know that there's all sorts of clever, clear box storage systems that enable you to see instantly which shoes are where and all that, but himself came up with a simpler free method. He's coloured coded the original shoe boxes to match the shoes within so I can see at a glance what's where!

I have extracted two or three pairs of shoes from the stocks and the plan is to wear them to destruction and then select others to repeat with before I buy any others. It's amazing how much less I seem to need in all departments now I'm not out at work and fronting training sessions where eye catching colours and a variety of outfits were useful aids!

Month 2 - Bite 12

As I mentioned in the title, my wardrobe could be a good location for a hidden country! It's now far more organised after it's sort and clean, but just like the shoes bears witness to a previous lifestyle which called for differing outfits for various bookings. Having bagged, disposed of and so on I am still left with plenty of things that still need sorting. There were a few running repairs, dodgy buttons, loose hems which were quickly fixed. I did contemplate throwing away a pair of jeans that I've recently replaced because (wait for it) they were too big!!) They also were getting a bit thin in places.

I changed my mind though once I'd seen an online tutorial showing how to slimline the jeans and I'm going to have a go at decoratively fixing the thin patch too!

One of the discoveries I made when I had to work away from home and look presentable straight from a travel bag was the joy of non-ironable dresses! I still possess a few, but no longer need them for work - they don't really fit the bill for holiday travel either. They have joined the wear them to destruction shoes...  These I will wear over an over till they bite the dust as around the house, lounging about stuff. They are easy to wear and are ready as soon as they have dried from the washing machine eliminating the need to brandish the iron - a win-win in terms of time, effort and electricity.

Month 2 - Bite 13

If I enjoyed rediscovering new shoes, it was a s nothing compared to delving into the bag store! Again I've got one or two that I can use till they disintegrate and have negated my urge to buy any more for ages! I also pulled all the carrier and shopping bags out of their various nooks and crannies and decided to organise them more effectively. If I can save those 'oh heck' moments when I realise I haven't a bag with me and have to buy one while out shopping it's got to help both the environment and my purse...

One of the best things I learnt way back at the beginning of lockdown was how to fold plastic carrier bags into neat triangles held fast by one of their old handles. It's a great trick and now I've made sure there's one in my coat pocket and another in my handbag. It's easy to remember to take bags when I'm doing a planned supermarket shop - it's those other incidental times that I get caught out - well, hopefully no more!

                                          

Month 2 - Bite 14

Finally there's that spare drawer I managed to clear. My plan is to do a wear it once process. I've done this in the past with particular items of clothing - I did a big clear out of old jumpers this way and it worked a treat. It's quite simple. I wear something, launder it and then fold it down into this drawer. I'm then not allowed to go back to it till I've worn everything else in that line. It means that I have to make serious decisions - if I am faced with something because it's the last suitable item and I really don't want to wear it, then it needs to go. It also makes me try everything and decide on its fate. Okay so the 'occasion' dresses that I may not have a call for on a while can be exempt, but again, how many do I need? Also it's time to face that 'only for best' mindset that leaves certain clothes unworn because they are being saved and to ask 'saved for what'?

 

Once I get to an almost empty wardrobe/drawer situation I can repeat the process putting everything back knowing it's all been tried and cleaned and is suitable for keeping!

Month 2 - Bite 15

Back to the paperwork... I did gather together all those expenses that only crop up on a regular, but less frequent occasion. Some I can do little about - the TV License for example or Council Tax. Others are going to need some investigation. Time to go through the diary/calendar and mark up a date two or three weeks before any renewals. This should flag up the need to check comparison websites and negotiate new annual contracts with plenty of time to spare, rather than arrive at the Car Insurance renewal reminder and find that time doesn't allow for a thorough investigation of the best possible deal.

Finally, a spring time lift.

It'll be St. David's Day soon so something for Mum is always welcome. Yes, Welsh Cakes and Daffodils will be in evidence, but this year I've made some daffodil coasters too! And in the best spirit of thrift, while the daffodil fabric is new, the backing came from some old serviettes that were the wrong colour for our dining room!!

Plastic, Fabric and Planning Ahead...

 I know, there's a bit of catching up to do!

I started off by thinking I'd leave it a few days so that I could report on the actions I'd taken, but then those few days became a few more, then I got caught up in a new project and some exciting finds and then... well, here we are about to try and organise my random thoughts into something coherent!

Month 2 - Bite 7

The plastic in my hidey holes has all been gathered up and trimmed... Having downloaded some of the cards as apps has not only saved on plenty of space, but has had the side effect of my using them more often. I no longer have to hunt them down, remember to take particular cards out, etc. I've also started to record when they save me money too. Fortunately the app I downloaded to record my spending right back at the beginning of this project allows me to enter this quickly and it's amazing how much is racking up in discounts and freebies now I'm making my plastic work...

Month 2 - Bite 8

I did consult with that list I made of all the dates and occasions needing presents and have started planning for them. Of course, this was all the more attractive a task when it led to some fabric and makes!

These bags are really easy (thank you YouTube) and are not only great for little presents, but also represent an environmental saving over wrapping paper. 

I actually got the fabric for all these fairy bags for £1 in a local market...

The next plans are for this to transform itself into Easter Bags for mini eggs and a bit of pocket money, it helps control the chocolate mountain that threatens to avalanche those around me too!

Month 2 - Bite 9

Now for something I'd been putting off.. really, you don't say?

Having gathered all those manuals and instructions together I've spent rather a long time actually reading them. Hidden inside are the gems of information that tell me what I ought to be doing to use my gadgets and machinery to their best advantage.

First of all I'm trying to implement the instructions about which are the most economical uses of each appliance, both for my pocket and the environment. I still can't get me head around the fact that the longer washes in the machine are better all round, but hey I'm not an expert. I'm also trying to only use full washes in order to limit the number I do.

Month 2 - Bite 10

The next on the list followed on from the audit of cleaning materials. It made me look closely at how often I use all those liquids and detergents. One of the best ways of cutting down has been to up the maintenance in line with the manufacturers recommendations. So, drains are now being kept clear, the freezer is properly defrosted and the washing machine is flushed through regularly. It's certainly saving time, effort and costs doing it this way rather than waiting for a major deep clean!!

Time for a pause before I launch into the fun and games of the clothes mountain.. oh, that other project, well maybe next time!

That's Entertainment

Month 1 - Bite 28

Today will be difficult - not because the task is hard, but because I know I'm going to get sidetracked!

The bookshelves are groaning, despite owning an e-reader and borrowing from the local library I've still got stacks of books.

Many of these I've read and enjoyed, but won't read again so the next job is to look critically at all the books I've got and to decide what makes a book worth its place on the shelves. I'll probably start reading the odd one or two 'just to check' but a bit of self control is needed here.

Bit of checking required as there may be one or two that others in the family might enjoy - they'll  need to go in a bag for redistribution.

Month 1 - Bite 29

And so to the DVD and CD collection... Now having piles of DVDs lurking is madness as we tend to stream endless stuff to watch and many of the films I like are free to view over and over and over and... What's even dafter in keeping physical copies of them is the mountain of CDs evident around the place as we longer have a CD player. In fact the only place I can play CDs is in the car! They'll all need gathering in one place ready for action.

There may well be some that can go in that bag with the books to go out.

Month 1 - Bite 30

The final job for this month is to collect all those bits and pieces of stationery littered around the house. This might look like a tidy little store....

If only it was the only one! There's at least half a plastic box of pens, pencils and notebooks in the loft along with paper on the bookshelves and in drawers. Yet another sorting and gathering day. At least there won't be any new writing equipment bought for a while.....

 

Getting the picture

 Well I guess this first month has all been about getting the picture of what's all around the place.

One group of items that surfaced while in the loft was pictures.

Month 1 - Bite 17

Before we moved to our present bungalow (16 years ago yesterday!) we lived in a three storey townhouse. There were lots of walls and hanging spaces for pictures. Once we'd moved most of those had to be stored in the loft and that's where they've been ever since. In fact even more went up there as we acquired or I created more like this one.

The next task of finding out what we've got to establish the size of our elephant is to unwrap all these and more to decide what we want to keep and move a few round.

One or two could be reframed, but many I suspect will be on their way out. Over time some will have faded and the frames may be available for me to play with too.... More excuses to make stuff beckon.

Still it's out with the duster, off with the bubble wrap and time to ship some of these rather large clutterbugs out to new homes....

End of the Week Catch Up

Spending recorded - tick

Receipts filed - tick

Bag completed to hide battery pack on lights - tick

This is some fabric from a fat quarter that’s my sister gave me. To try and brighten up a fire that isn’t working we’ve got twinkly lights round it, but the battery pack isn’t that decorative! Over Christmas we had a festive gift bag concealing it and now that the other decorations are packed away it doesn't look right.. enter my sister’s gift!

And while on the subject of bags...

Month 1 - Bite 13

All those handbags, evening bags, holdalls, purses,etc. scattered throughout the place need sorting. They need to be gathered together and the collection surveyed.

First I need to remove all those that have reached the end of their life with me and decide if they should be scrapped, donated, recycled, swapped or dumped. The same rules apply as to clothes - they are only to stick around for a very short time if they are going out.

Before saying goodbye to or packing away any bags, each one needs going through. Contents need checking and any scrunched tissues, dried up lip salves, fuzzy looking sweets (sorry, but it happens) and so on need binning. Mind you there’s always the possibility of finding the odd coin or two.

Month 1 - Bite 14

Okay, after that rummage through the wearables have I created any space?

I need to hunt down or clear a corner or two - a drawer hopefully, or a box to go in the bottom of the wardrobe or even a suitcase, it needs to be easily accessible and convenient.

This is where to store some clothes later in this sorting and saving process so I can really get to grips with everything that gets worn - really gets worn, not just hung onto because it cost a lot,or I’ll be that size one day (I won’t) or, well, just because.

That should be a quicker and easier task than the last few!

Month 1 - Bite 15

No recording or filing to do today as there's no spending going on... or is there?

There are, however, some expenses that are invisible (think electricity) or won't crop up this month (the TV Licence for one). Good idea to start a list of these so that when a review of spending happens next month (as it will when the elephant meal moves onto its second course) these other bills can be taken into account.

So what's paid for over a longer period of time? Well as mentioned there's the TV Licence, then insurances, land line rental, subscriptions. On the list go the other utility bills - those invisible ones that just come out of the bank account leaving no trace, but a financial gap! - council tax, mobile payments, thankfully no longer rent or mortgage. At the moment I've no loan repayments, but there might be in the future who knows? Finally there's the car - servicing, MOT and so on.

The list once it's as complete as possible will go onto the financial paperwork box to be added to as something occurs to me that I've forgotten.

AAarrrgh! Clothes Mountain Alert!

 Month 1 - Bite 12

Still recording my spending (even if it is a bit high on the craft side - but it was for a tool to put fasteners into fabric AND was paid from a Christmas present voucher so maybe it doesn't count!), and remembering to file the receipts along with a written slip for any small amounts that don't come with a receipt ready for when the credit card bill arrives and I have to recall what all the little payments were).

Okay - deep breath - clothes....

Now if you can Marie Kondo your life (I wish I was that sort of person) then great - otherwise here's another route.

All the clothes are coming out of their various nooks and crannies - wardrobe...

drawers...

it's too frightening to show you all of it...

and then being organised into piles. The storage - wardrobe, etc. will need hoovering out and generally cleaning before hanging, folding and replacing stuff. This is the point to weed out any obvious contenders for donating, recycling, swapping or otherwise disposing of. Those items put to one side for swapping can only be there for a limited amount of time - if a swap party/opportunity doesn't come up (more about that to follow) within a decent timescale they will have to go.

Hopefully seeing everything that's there will help making good decisions easier about what might be needed without wasting money by buying something similar to what's already there because it hadn't been noticed before.

There will, I know, be some things that need trying on for size as well as others that have running repairs to be made. These need storing (again for a short time) where they can be easily got at as time allows.. (something else to return to - don't worry I've made a list...)

Right, action stations - oh and in case it seems I'm only ever tidying or buying craft stuff.. here's something actually finished! 

Mind you I might have got it done more quickly if I hadn't twisted the collar round in a moment of inattention and had to undo three seams and resew them in the right place! Ah well, butterfly brain moment....