Lusting after a Luscious Laundry

After watching a youtube video on organisation, I've started having lustful thoughts regarding laundry rooms. My laundry room is small, dark, dingy, and desperately in need of some love! It would be great to have a clean, tidy, functional and pleasing place to do laundry and store cleaning supplies.

There's a dishwasher in there we don't use. I'd like to see the back of it, and replace it with the dryer which is sitting in the back vestibule. The Belfast sink was improperly plumbed, and isn't usable. The ceiling is a golden yellow. The floor has carpet tiles that are rolling at the edges. It's a place I go into because I have to, and I'm out again in the shortest possible time. It's time to dream!

My new laundry room will re-use the Belfast sink, but lower it. It will be easier to fill the mop bucket at a lower level. New taps will be installed. Next to the sink will be the washing machine and dryer, with a work top over them, making a folding area for laundry. This will probably have to be hinged against the wall as the space is so tight. Above the washer and dryer, wall cabinets with plain, flat, white doors. On the opposite wall will be hanging hooks for the mop, broom, dustpan and brush, vacuum cleaner. The ceiling will be white, a new light fitting installed, and new flooring.

The predominant colours will be white, with few touches of aqua. It will be clean and fresh.

Consolidation of the Foundations

It feels like this week has been a time to consolidate the foundations of decluttering and housekeeping. There's still be decluttering, and the 30 Day Declutter Challenge has been smashed. But I've also been maintaining several room, bathroom, loo, bedroom, sitting room and kitchen. None of them are perfect, but all are clean and 'picked up'. I'm starting to get the hang of the concept of tidying and cleaning 'as you go'.

This morning the bathroom and loo have been cleaned and tidied. A number of months ago the shower in the shower room was not working and we were using a hand held shower that fitted onto the taps in the bath. These were tapped in place to prevent water from skooshing everywhere. The shower was fixed months and months ago, but the hand held shower was not removed. This has now happened!

My decluttering focus today has been to help the Younger Offspring with their stuff. Together we decluttered a wardrobe, three drawers of clothing and a set of drawers containing make up and hair stuff. This wardrobe will be brought down to their bedroom at the weekend. An old small chest of drawers has been removed.

After dinner, the Beloved and I started work on his wardrobe. Everything apart from his sweaters and cardigans has been done! There's two large bin bags, one for recycling and one for donating.

Our rubbish bin was emptied yesterday morning. It was full by the evening, and there's even more things to be disposed of. I suspect a trip to the amenities site and the disposal containers will feature in our weekend.

It feels good to be reclaiming the house!

Just a Minute

Nicholas Parsons host the wonderfully funny radio programme, 'Just a Minute'. The guests are given one minute to talk about a given subject without hesitation, repetition or deviation. One minute can be a very long time under those circumstances!

One of the instructions given by many home organisation/decluttering experts is if a task will take less than one minute, then do it NOW. This might be wiping the bread board of crumbs and putting it away, taking a mug through to the kitchen, picking up a fallen towel, etc. These little tiny tasks can often make a difference out of proportion to the time they take. 

At least a month ago I noticed the pictures in the hall had slipped in their frames. Whilst dusting in the hall I decided to rectify the situation. It took about four minutes to do all three pictures, but I don't begrudge that extra minute. This small change has improved the hall.

It's part of the crazy way of tidying and cleaning where you do a little bit each day. If you make a mess, or get something dirty then you tidy/clean immediately afterwards, but the rest is done incrementally. The advantage is the place looks clean and tidy. The downside is you don't get the 'Wow! Look at the difference I have made!' I'm trying to prefer the former over the latter, but I love 'My goodness, the place looks fantastic now.'

Mini-declutter in the Bedroom

In the course of the 21 item bedroom declutter, a few crafty bits were unearthed. These have been gathered and will be handed over to Gill. She will use them to make Twiddle Mitts (pictured above).

Gill has a friend who like to knit squares, just squares. Gill takes the squares, sews them together, and add various decorations and twiddle-able bits. These Twiddle Mitts are given to people with dementia. Many people with dementia have 'active fingers'. They keep picking at things, scratching, working away all the time. This can lead to IV drips being removed, cannulas becoming infected, skin scratched and rubbed. The Mitt gives the busy fingers something to do, a distraction. It improves the life of dementia patients, and it uses up little bits and pieces of crafty stuff.

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Fourteen things have left my wardrobe, well, maybe twelve. There's a pair of purple shoes I like, but I seem to remember the fastenings were not staying closed. I'll wear them today and see if they work. If they don't, they will be disappearing. Three items have been given a reprieve as they are a smidge too small. Next time I'm in bottom drawer I'll look at them again. There's also three pairs of worn out shoes I shall say goodbye to.

The hair care drawer was the next place to receive my attention. More than 21 items left that drawer alone! Goodbye to a mini CD, some ribbons, a webcam(!), old booklets, random bits of paper, a hairbrush that hurts my head... just lots of little bits of crap.

The Same Message from More Than One Source

Over the last week I have been watching/listening to the Clutterbug, Cassandra Aarssen. She is a professional organiser, youtuber and prodcaster. Her central message is the same as so many others, clutter can't be organised, and 15 minutes of decluttering a day makes a huge difference.

Hearing the same message from different lips has reinforced to me that I need the constant 'drip, drip, drip' of encouragement and prodding. It keeps me focused on the goal (a tidy house where I can find things), and it keeps me feeling positive whilst I get to the goal.

A few years ago I was delighted when my bedroom was decluttered. Over time it became re-cluttered, and now it's decluttered again. Obviously, I don't have problems with decluttering, it's the maintenance I struggle with. The drip-feeding of encouragement helps me with the maintenance. Hearing it from more than once source, the same message in different words and in different voices, stops it from feeling like nagging.

And with that, I'm off to see if there's 21 items in my bedroom I can declutter. (There is.) I'm starting with the wardrobe, and then turning my attention t other areas. The key questions for clothing are: 'do I wear it' and 'do I love it'.

Week 26: Make up and Cosmetics

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #26: Make up & Cosmetics

Tuesday: Declutter expired and old make up

Wednesday: Declutter toiletries and skin care products

Thursday: Declutter old toothbrushes and other dental supplies

Friday: Declutter nail polish and perfume

Saturday: Declutter hair styling tools and supplies

Sunday: Declutter travel toiletries and supplies

Some people have many supplies in this category. I have a couple of old toothbrushes that are used to when cleaning to get into tiny spaces. There's a bottle of perfume I need to carry out a sniff test on, but apart from that, I'm good.

My Body is Falling Apart

It was around my current age my Mam was diagnosed with high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, high cholesterol etc. She is on a cocktail of drugs and looks fine and healthy. My body is currently acting up, and I could be going the same way. I want to do something about this and see if I can avoid the cocktail of drugs, and the perpetuation of bad habits just because a drug is taking up the slack.

Last month was Iron May and it got me moving. The steroids I was given for the major asthma incident changed my taste buds and sent me searching for vegetables and fruit. Both were very good changes to my life. Consumption of fruit and vegetables has reduced, but it's still better than my pre-Easter diet. Sadly, the June weather has caused my joints to be very sore, and I have taken almost no exercise this month.

This is changing. This morning I was back on my bike and I cycled 4 miles. Later today I'll walk a mile. My meals will be around about 50% veggies, 25% protein, and 25% carbohydrates. Snacks will be fruit, and drinks will be water and Earl Grey with lemon.  I need to make this work for my body's sake.  I'd rather like it to last another 50 years.

The Messy Shed

not my actual shed

I am so excited! I've been wanting to get the garden shed decluttered for ages. Today, we took a car-load to the amenities site and waved goodbye to some of our clutter. Some of that stuff has been in the shed, waiting to go to the amenities site, for years! It's gone, so long.

Hopefully next weekend we'll take another trip and say arrivederci, auf Wiedersehen, and sayonara to another load of clutter.

Good Morning, World

Totally nailed the sleeping thing last night!

And, now it's time to decide. Shall I use my powers for good, or for ill?

Sleep is for Wimps!

At this time of year, it's very common for me to be awake at 5-5.30 in the morning.  The light levels cause me to be awake early in the morning, and not go to bed until late (11.30pm-ish) at night. In the winter, the dark mornings and evenings result in a sleepy bear.

Goodness knows what happened last night!  I was awake until 3.30am!  I was so worried I would fall asleep and the be awake at 5.30. Thankfully, I managed to get all the way through until 8.30 (with a half-time loo break).  There was a quick nap around lunch time too. And it's only now at gone 11pm I'm starting to yawn. 

About 10 years ago I had shingles. I was exhausted all the time, but sleep was often difficult. This was when I learned that even if you are not able to sleep, then at least take the time to rest. It's so much easier now. A talking book or a Kindle, gives the brain something to react to whilst allowing the body to rest.

(yawn) Right, that's it!  I'm off to bed. (yawn) Night all. Hope you have a good night's sleep.

Decluttered, Clean, Tidy Bedroom

'Tis done!  The bedroom is now decluttered, clean and tidy, all three at once! 

Yesterday there was a fair bit of dusting, and the floor was swept. Today, The Beloved got up high to do the top of the wardrobe and the picture rails. I finished the lower dusting. The bed was drawn out, the suitcases moved from under the bed, and then the whole floor was mopped. 

I'm looking out, and there are a few, a very few items out of place. The dustpan and brush hadn't made it back to the laundry. There's a hair tie by my bed, and a pair of The Beloved's shorts.  That's it. Everything else is where it should be.

I'm sure we could do some more decluttering, especially with books and clothes, but for now, we are done. My intention is to do the 365 Declutter Challenge again next year. The kitchen was done last year, and again this year, and I'm happier with it now. The linen cupboard has also been done twice, and I'm really happy with the set up.  It was an area with a great propensity towards mess. Now the cupboard contains so much less it far easier to keep it tidy. 

The Beloved's Study and the Bathroom

The Beloved has a tendency not to dispose of old computer hardware. He keep the bits, he keeps the boxes, and it piles up. This is not a problem for me as it is all in his study, and I rarely go in there. I would never try to declutter his stuff. (This is not the same as picking up a couple of items lying around and asking 'Do you still need/want this?' That's a genuine question, and if the answer is 'Yes', then it put away.)

About a week ago, The Beloved said if I get him a couple of cardboard boxes he would do some decluttering in his study. True to his word, in less than an hour after I had given him a box it was full. The items have been taken to the amenities site.

Whilst he was off doing this, I was in the bathroom, clearing out the linen cupboard again. It was done in February, and it wasn't looking bad. It is now looking good! It was easy to work out which items hadn't been used since February, and so were neither wanted nor needed.

As I was putting away my clean laundry, I decluttered my undies and pjs drawers.  These clothes, along with the items above, came to about 50! That's a good declutter!

Hygge

A lot has been said in social media about 'hygge'. It's a Norwegian/Danish concept that encompasses cosiness, charm, happiness, contentment, security, familiarity, comfort, reassurance, kinship, and simpleness. It's being at home, snug and warm, with a mug of hot chocolate when the rain is lashing down. It's fun and laughter over dinner when family and friends comes to visit. It's about having a warm, cosy place where you know you belong and are accepted for who you are. And candles.

Yes, candles. Even around the summer solstice when sunset is around 10pm, and there is no true night, only astronomical twilight. The soft flickering light draws you in to the now, draws you into the warm, cosy place. It brings me contentment.

My candles are sitting on a long piece of slate, on top of my dark wooden coffee table/chest. These things bring me joy. (The slate is half a roof slate that was left over from when a neighbour was having their roof replaced. I've used some Velcro dots, the fuzzy sides, not the hooks, on the underside of the slate. This prevents it from scratching the coffee table.)

I'm appreciating more the little things in life, wood, slate, soft light. Too often we are busy, moving from one thing on to the next, and not stopping to enjoy the present moment.

The Disadvantages of Decluttering

Search the internet and you will find so many positive things being written or vlogged regarding the advantages of decluttering. It's so much harder to find anything about the disadvantages. I'm totally on board with the advantages. It has been making my life so very much easier in many ways. 

My bedroom is now a calm, tidy, decluttered space. The sitting room is tidy most of the time, and can be returned to tidiness in less than 5 minutes. I love it.

However, there is one major disadvantage, now the stuff has disappeared from a number of places, I can see how many objects are drab and sad. I can see the spider's web on the ceiling, and the dust on the picture rail. My home needs some tender, loving care. It needs a deep clean, and redecorating.

Currently I'm caught in a difficult place. Various rooms have been decluttered, and I want to get them deep cleaned and redecorated, then to maintain them at this level. At the same time, I want to get the whole house decluttered. 

I didn't sleep well last night. I'm tired, and I just want a clean, calm, tidy house. I want a place of rest, relaxation, creativity and welcome.

Gluten-free Baking

Learning how to bake with gluten-free flour can be a bit of trial and error. The flours absorb liquid at different rates and behave differently. When I first tried to make gluten-free scones they did not come out as the light, fluffy morsels eaten with morning coffee or afternoon tea. The family pronounced them 'rock buns'.

This morning I decided to make some rock buns, and use the Be-Ro recipe for scones. There was no way the mixture could be formed into a ball and rolled out. Dollops were put on a baking sheet instead. And, I failed to make rock buns. Today's creation were chocolate chip, free form, gluten-free scones. Light and fluffy, and very tasty. 

The only negative comment was from The Beloved, "There's not enough currants."  Yes, of course there are not enough currants; there are NO currants in the scones!  The dark bits are chocolate. However, the lack of currants did not prevent him enjoying his coffee-time treat.

Week 25: Bathroom

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #25: Bathroom

Tuesday: Declutter bathroom sink and counter area

Wednesday: Declutter under bathroom sink

Thursday: Declutter bathtub and shower area

Friday: Declutter bathroom drawers and organize what's left

Saturday: Declutter bathroom cabinets and closet shelves

Sunday: Declutter and organize bath toys

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The bathroom was decluttered in February, and I don't think it needs to be decluttered again, but it does need a deep clean and a tidy. The focus this week will be 'clean and tidy'.

I just want the pretty colours

Creating a pretty quilt top is just one part of the process of making a quilt. After the top has been finished, it is place on top of the batting and backing, and the layers are fixed together.

It struck me yesterday as I was buying 6m of plain white cotton, I don't like buying plain white cotton! I like pretty colours. I like making the tops of quilts. And I sort of object to spending money on the 'boring bits'. However, if the 'boring bits' aren't bought, there is no finished project, there's no quilt.

What to buy for a decluttering minimalist?

What's a wanna-be minimalist to do at gift receiving times of the year? I like presents. I like gifts. And I don't want to do without them. But, I don't want to accumulate more stuff just because it's time to receive gifts.

My family makes extensive use of the Amazon wishlists. It's the first thing we do when Christmas or birthdays are approaching. It means the gift giver has a pretty decent idea of things the gift receiver might like. It cuts down on the 'what were they thinking' type of gift. However, it does require people to take the time to update their wishlist. This last task has been difficult for me, and doubly difficult now I'm really getting to grips with decluttering and being an intentional buyer.

Over the last few days I've been pondering this whole gift thing. The gifts I would most like to receive are either crafting materials or gift vouchers for craft shops. It's lovely to receive a gift. It's then lovely to create a crafty-thingy, and it's again lovely to give that crafty-thingy away. The gift is not the material object, but the chance to play with it and make it into something different.

Free Form Scones

Ingredients

225g Dove Farm gluten-free SR flour

50g butter

25g sugar

50g choclate chips

1 egg

milk

Method

Heat oven to 220C.

Rub the butter into the flour, and stir in the sugar and chocolate chips. Break the egg into a jug, beat it and then top up to the 150ml mark with milk. Mix the milk/egg mixture into the flour, and bring together into a dough. Place 9 dollops onto a greased baking sheet. (Or, it you would prefer, butter a muffin tray and drop the mixture into the cups.) Bake for about 10 -12 minutes.

The Great Jelly Roll Race

Normally when I'm making patchwork I am in control and choosing every aspect of the design. Today, it's a little different; I'm trying my hand at random. And, it's tough.

Jelly Rolls are 2.5" strips cut across the width of the fabric. They often come in colour ways. This is a blue set I was given a while back. I've been pondering what to do with it, and decided on a Jelly Roll Race quilt.  The race quilt was popularised in quilting clubs when people actually had races to see who could finish the top of their quilts the quickest!

The strips are sewn end to end, making a piece of fabric about 1,600" long. Then it's folded in half and a 800" seam is sew. The fold is cut, and the process starts again. The colours can be planned, but most people don't take the mental effort to plan it. I've decided to randomise my work as much as possible, and I've also added a 2.5" square of yellow at the end of each strip.

The yellow squares have been added. A huge long strip has been created, and it's been folded in half twice. Three quarters of the sewing has happened, and I'm taking a break.