Inside or Outside!

Hi Guys,

What to do when an opportunity comes along!

Well, make it happen even if it is very hard to do.

Since living in my old family home from my childhood and now owning said home, after Mum died I did manage to keep the garden in check for the first 3 years.  But when I started working it all when haywire and began to get out of control with the overgrowth.  What did me in was the Apricot tree, which kept on losing huge branches after strong winds that then covered the small yard and would take me months to get into the Green waste bin.

No sooner than I had dealt with that, another limb would fall and all that I had chopped back would grow even more with such vigor that stunned me.  On top of this the Birch Tree had been sick and dying for some years now and also with each cyclonic gusts of winds that would have heavy limbs falling that was very close to the roof.

There was simply too much to do with home life, health, work, decluttering and the garden.  Something had to give and the garden was it.  I knew I needed a low maintenance garden, but had little time and energy in which to achieve this.

Dealing with all the 'stuff' takes time as does a garden.  Both are essential to have in check for one's well being and life style.  Mine had gotten way out of hand and the kind offers from my wonderful friends was overwhelming.

The OUTSIDE is just as important as the INSIDE.

I was looking forward to harmony once more.  But it will take time to get there even after this.  Patience is required in abundance when going through this process.

It was at my birthday celebration, I don't remember exactly how this came about that a few friends offered to come over for a garden bee to help me get back on track.  One in particular said he could easily chop the trees and bushes back.  Well, I did eventually call Tony and he did come and have a look.  Dom, Ange and I had estimated it would take around 2 weekends to just do the trimming and so on.

Tony took a look.  I tell him what I would like to be dealt with.  I thought, ah, he will see the size of the job to tackle and the huge trees to be felled and run like the wind.  But he says 'half a day tops'.  Wow.  OK I say.  And it was then I got to fully understand that Tony was a man of many talents and one of them was as an Arborist!  This will be wonderful.

I was dreading and looking forward to the day.

In the meantime, the Study is half complete.  The Lounge Room is now once again in a state of flux, but we are almost at the ready in the Dining Room!

But, finally, I got my act together to organise the Garden Bee.

While he was with us that day assessing the job, I asked if he could help my son and myself to get a few more items from my neighbour's garage.  I now have the 1960s stereo at home to take pride of place eventually.  There is only one more item after this along with the fridge over there now.  What a relief.

The Lounge Room is next to be moved around to be more open and flow through much better.

So that is the INSIDE for the moment and will keep you posted as to the big reveal of the Study, Lounge and Dining more than likely after Easter sometime.

Now for the OUTSIDE.

Fortunately, for me, I chose the very weekend where the heat had finally broken.  But the day prior to the garden bee it belted down with rain.  Not only would it be soaking wet, but would have to call it off due to inclement weather!  Rats!

The morning of the garden bee I looked up the weather radar and decided to take a chance and now glad that we did.  It was perfect in temperature and slightly overcast at the beginning ending in sunshine.  I even got my forehead slightly sunburnt!

After running around getting things ready, picking up the extendable motorised chain saw and my said teenage son from a friends place and who was not going to get out of helping drag the logs to pile up on the front lawn ready for chipping.

First to arrive was Tony.  The others where still on their way I said to him.  That's OK, picks up the chain saw and has the tall and dying Birch Tree down within 15 to 20 minutes!!!

This is just last winter how the Birch Tree looked.  You can see the top was decaying and falling apart.

Here is Tony already started.

Half way by now.

Done and dusted!

What the!!!  What just happened?  This guy was a dynamo!  Would I be able to a handle this?  Well, too late for that now.  He worked like a trojan with many needed smoko's.

We then got rid of the Oak Tree's sucker that had regrown from the last chop down.  Here is what is left of it and will need to be poisoned to stop the constant regrowth.

It was around now that my son appeared from his shower and breakfast intake.  Now to trim the magnificent Magnolia Tree away from the gutter.

It was at this stage my good friends Ange and Dom arrived  to get cracking.  Dom set his sights on bushes that had long grown over the fence and taking over part of the driveway and Ange worked on the weeds in the rockery below.

This is the side which was very overgrown by the Pittosporum Bush, which by now was a tree.
.

The neighbour's bush had grown over the fence and shaded the rockery garden bed.  Dom made light work of pruning this back, which was hard work as this bush was very thick and dense.

This is how it looked after Ange got finished with it.

What a beautiful garden!  Taking shape already.

By this stage Tony had already started on the side of the house getting a very overgrown Pittosporum bush trimmed away from the gutter.

This is how what was left of that bush from the front driveway with my three wise monkeys dragging more branches out from the backyard to the frontyard.

Certainly no where near the gutters now.

Roses were pruned and what was left of any rubbish removed.

From the other viewpoint before most was cleared away.  Still more weeding to be done along here.

It was around now that my high school friend arrived, Sue and Godparent to both my children.

Tony was long gone and into the backyard making light work of the huge Apricot Tree that had so many limbs fall over the years creating havoc for me on a regular basis.  Unfortunately, it had to go.

Here is Tony already half way through the Apricot Tree.  You will notice the overgrown grass and what a shambles the yard looked.  Very rustic.

More than halfway by now on this lot.  Weeds still sprouting up loud and proud before being trampled down.

Many workers look on, but also could double as supervisors.  You know, like the guys who make the roads or lay the pipes and there are at least 20 of them to get the one job done!

The stump will now serve as an excellent perch for a Bird Bath or seat.  Next to the shed was this bush that housed masses of spiders and covered in cobwebs and always gave me the heebie jeebies and was situated right where I wanted the BBQ to go.

Here is the shed and what was left of the Apricot tree last year.

Finally the spider bush was gone.  BBQ won.  Spider Bush lost.

Tony who turned out to be a total surprise.

The house had a foot path along the house, but due to the other at least 40 year old Magnolia by now Tree had to be trimmed back in order to use it and also trim away from the gutter of the house.

Mum would never let Dad prune certain branches.  She would be horrified at this, whereas, Dad would be dancing for joy!  It means the pathway will now be able to be used without tall people being clunked on the head.

Now, almost at full strength with volunteers, there was a continuous stream of long limbs being dragged out to be piled high on the front lawn along with what was left of the Birch Tree.

Coffees, teas and smoko's later and many water stops to re-hydrate, we were getting through the endless amount of overgrowth from the last 3 years.  I had kept up till then and when I started working again the garden just went by the wayside as I said before.

Tony watches on having a well deserved smoko in-between lopping's.

It was just as we were about to start on the massive Lemon Tree that never stops fruiting all year round that my daughter and boyfriend arrived looking rather bleary eyed.  They were promptly instructed by all of us what was what and safety instructions and then left to it.

Everyone arrived at just the right time to keep the energy level up and running.

Apricot done and next up the Lemon Tree.

This is how massive the Lemon Tree had become.

Checking the chain and a refuel later to start on the Lemon Tree.

By now I wasn't sure I had done the right thing.  I hope I have.

Lemons retrieved for the last time till it recovers and fruits once more.

A little lopsided, but can be worked on after it gets over shock.

The entire crew/team worked well and in unison.  It was fantastic.  Fun even.

Once the Lemon Tree was done and dusted it was at this stage we discovered under the massive Monstera Deliciosa bush with it's huge leaves there were 4 little feral kittens hiding.  I caught a glimpse of one which was a champagne colour.

I called the local RSPCA to be told that it was a Council issue and that I would incur a charge to hire a cage to catch them and then they would be put down!  I will have to try and find an organisation that helps these little critters.

We turned our attention to the Plum Tree that by now had taken over the washing line.  This one had huge thorns and we had to be very careful when handling this lot and will have to do the same when we get to chipping this lot.

Plum Tree slowly taking shape.

My son looking on .

It was around now that the skies started to threaten rain, but Ange yelled at the skies and ordered them to stop.  The skies listened.

Time for lunch and a well earned break.  Laughter, chatter and mucking around took place and it was just then after all had been cleared from the back fence and I had said my back neighbour will be delighted for the extra sunlight on their vegie patch, and just like magic up pops my neighbour who loved my Mum very much to say how happy she was to see me.  We cried as we had not seen each over for quite sometime.  I wont let time slip by till the next time.  She is just gorgeous.

Everyone commented how happy she was to see me.  Nice to know that.  I have such wonderful neighbours.

Getting ready for that break.

Gathering together.

Ange my angel brought lunch for all and boy did it go down well.

So nice to see the laughter in my backyard once more.

Break over and we get cracking once more.

By now the Green Waste Rubbish Bin was filled to the brim and I went to ask another neighbour for the loan of hers for this week if I could.  She did and even brought over some much needed rakes and huge brooms to make light work of the clean up under the carport.  Thank you bella for when you might read this.

What was left was on the other side of the house was what I referred to as the Triffid Bush that had grown to gutter height and was many many meters off the ground, being the steep side of the block.  I had trimmed it many times before and it seemed to just grow even more to spite me and cover my son's bedroom window to block whatever sunlight there was to be had each time.

I requested for it to be cut at the base.

Here is how the side of the house looked before the chop.

 Just after the huge ball of twine was dragged out for good with the ground covered in twigs galore.

Keith made the side of the house look fabulous once more.

 By jove we think we got it.

Aija looking on at the huge mass, which has stopped just there where it is to be cut down to go into the Green Waste bin over the next few months.  It was massive.

Being that there were 4 guys and this one massive mass of a bush they all decide to drag it out in one mass.   They heaved and the hoved and shoved and pulled.  What a fiasco.  Zigis is missing from this photo.

The young guns, being Zigis and Keith, raked what was 3 foot long grass and by now trampled down with masses of twigs within it. This way when we do mow the lawn the mower will stand a chance.

After the huge raking by Zigis.

The yard at the back now looks large compared to before and will be a useful place once again soon enough.

I now have a clothesline to use once more.

I can see outside!

It really has given me a renewed motivation to get stuck into the 'stuff'.

Here are some photos from the day.

Proof of work done.

Were I will set up the future BBQ.

My boy worked long and hard all day long on little sleep.

Soon to be a tranquil spot.

Mum and Dad watch over the day's proceedings.

Will be nice to have matching outside and inside in the end.

Little pile started.

 Bigger pile piling up.

Growing pile.

Adding to the pile.

Front yard about to be taken over.

The entire front yard is covered waiting for chipping to become mulch.

It was such a great feeling to finally get this done and the bones of the garden started.  It is only the first part with much more to do like weeding, getting the lawn back in order and fine tuning the low maintenance side of things.

Have since found out that the friend of Tony's is no longer in the biz of chipping so will have to find out if the council can help out or find the cheapest quote to get it done.  Small issue compared to what it could have cost me otherwise.

That night my body was a mess.  I could hardly move, but in a good way.  I personally started at 7am and finished around 4.30pm.  Most of the work on the garden went from 10am through to around 3.30pm.  We achieved a hell of a lot in a short amount of time.

And Tony was spot on.  It only took half a day!  Way to go.

To the crew.  One big huge THANK YOU.  xxxxxxxx

What a team!

Next up will be moving the Lounge Room furniture around.

Cheers till after Easter.
Anita who is almost one happy camper.

TWO YEARS ON THE HHH BLOG!

Hi Guys,

Mini catch up.

Forgot to post at my two year anniversary of the Hoarder's Helping Hoarders Blog due to ironically decluttering!  If I had to forget, at least that is a decent reason and an appropriate one at that.

At that time, Kez came to help move the computer mid February after me piling things every where else to accommodate this action to get the Study up and running.

Boom, no go!  WHAT!  This is a disaster.  No working computer in my study!!!  NOOOOOOOO!!!

Yep, apparently I am on cable and hadn't pre-planned for this and now I have this huge mess and now a lag in getting the room up and running.  It didn't last long as my daughters boyfriend came to the rescue.  I felt bad that I had messed Kez around.  She took it really well and said 'no probs', but I was not happy at getting her to come for no reason at all.  However, it gave her a chance to see my progress.  She liked what she could see and what I had achieved so far over the years.  She has seen me and at times helped me with this cycle over the years since my other home over at least the last 8 years or so.

How time flies by.

At least most of my friends do get me and why I have to do things the way I do.

Also, some happy news for a change, became a Stepgrandmum.

At that time I spent most of it moving things around to accommodate what was left of the furniture from my neighbours garage to be moved across.  And Kez did help me with that at least.  Illness held up my progress after that.

Many of my friends who have helped me over the years, I must say how grateful and appreciative I am.  I am one lucky woman to have such fantastic friends.  If it had not been for my 2 children and these fantastic friends, I don't know what I would have done.

The next thing on the list to get done was the working garden bee that I had to do as not often one has a friend who offers to help get the trees and overgrowth sorted that is a professional Arborist.  And some of the large trees were dying and limbs were falling and it was only a matter of time till one came through a window or onto the roof.

Am taking pictures of the ongoing saga, but am keeping much under my hat till the big reveal.

The next blog is about the Garden Bee day.

This blog  was short, sharp and sweet.

Cheers
Anita

What Whirlwind mess!

Hi Guys,

Wow.  Haven't been on for a while.  Yet again.  This stop start bizo can be very frustrating, but this time round it was essential for me to take time out for my personal well-being.

Again, life threw at me it's twists and turns.  I wont go into it other than to say it has been extremely emotional in an almost crippling way.  When you believe someone who has let you down time and time again before and you try as you may in your heart want to trust that this time years later that they mean what they say to only fall short yet again, does end up doing your heart and head in.

I have decided enough is enough and taking back my power and will not allow any person/s to ever try to put me back down no matter their intentions.  I have had it tough for a very long time now.  Years in fact.  But I don't dwell or wallow for too long and instead choose to take the positive path and keep on climbing to get to where I deserve to be.  And I will get there hook or by crook.

Having this sudden halt has actually been a Godsend.  It has given me the knowledge within that I am on the right path.  That I have done my best with what I had.  I chose to live in a good suburb for years in a dwelling that was admittedly damp but all I could afford to give my children a chance at a better future.  For them to have better schooling at their disposal.  There are areas in any city where you can live cheaply, but does also hold you back in what is available to you and stopping your potential.  I wanted more for my 2 children.  I have paid a heavy price personally, but the rewards have out-wayed that tenfold.  I made the right choice for all of us in the end.

The reason I say this is a few odd bods from outside my family have 'judged' my situation and have actively tried to make me feel bad about it.  It did get to me at first for a moment.  But in the end only served to make my resolve even more firm than before and now know I am on the right path.  Do not allow others to put you in a box and poopoo you.  Poopoo back.  For me this time I am just going to hold my ground.  Time for this certain lot to know I mean business in this regard and will not be a push over easily ever again.

So here I am.  Ready as.

Since my last post my son and myself have moved the glass cabinet and made the couch free to use once more.

Due to the desks in the study being set up and a blank canvas, I got the 2 cabinet drawers from the kitchen bench and moved them to the study to place the borrowed fax machine on top of them to better utilise the space.  Due to this, I got stuck into the kitchen and have changed everything around and now have a free bench and can see most of the floor.  All this is going round and all the time stuff filling the bins every week to the brim.

Today, I will move all the stuff around the kitchen dining table as my pal Kez is coming to help me move the computer to the study and help me reset the computer and set up the new printer maybe as well if time allows.  I will be able to then move the last item/s, which is the camphor chest to the end of my bed.  This is when the real work starts and that is going through all the paper work.  This will feel so good.  Each day I have been plugging away little by little.  And slowly it is leaving this home.  Love love love love LOVE this.

No matter what life throws at you and it will, of this you can be sure, the way to deal with it is just take a deep breath, regroup and restart small and before you know it there you are almost done.

Today will be a huge day.  I will look like I am in an even bigger mess than before.  But I know better as looks can be deceiving.  I know I am getting the volume of stuff down.  Such a good feeling.  Have some photos, but so want to show you the before and after shots so you can see what I mean by a whirlwind mess all at the same time.

While going through this whirlwind mess, with each item moved other stuff gets moved to accommodate the item/s to be place temporarily elsewhere.  Temporary could mean days or weeks and hopefully not months or years.  If that is the case you really are going too slow.  You then just get that sorted and you go to the next step to move the next set of item/s and this is where the whirlwind mess starts to make sense.  You move those item/s along with the other stuff that has been somewhat downsized in the last move to go temporarily elsewhere, yet again, to find it's final home eventually, be it useful or in the rubbish bin very soon.  I am about to move the next lot of item/s and have to move all the other item/s first to make it possible to move.

After this I will get my son to help me move the old 1960s stereo from the neighbours garage to go in the lounge and the Sewing Tredle Machine will go back into the corridor near the kitchen and laundry for the moment till the next set of chess movements which involved the Dining Room and Lounge Room much later on.

I will then concentrate daily on the boxes of stuff and placing the items in their 'new' permanent home and bag up what is to go to the Salvation Army, Rubbish Bin or to be sold or given away.

This will have to do as a mini catch up till next time.

Getting closer all the time.

No news on the job front, but in time i am sure that will change and in the meantime, I have to make use of this time.

Am organising with some dear friends to get the backyard back into ship shape order and low maintenance so I can keep it from overgrowing ever again.

I am looking forward to stating 'Job done' one day later this year.

Cheers all,
Anita

How time flies!

Hi Guys,

Been over 2 weeks since getting more decluttering achieved.

We have had extreme heat of over 40 celsius combined with strong hot northerly winds, which put a stop to any further progress.  It has felt like much of Australia is on fire with vast bushland and forest areas burning in several states.  To now have Queensland flooding once more as I write this.

We have this Australian poem called that describes Australia perfectly.

'My Country' by Dorothea MacKellar - here it is.

The love of field and coppice
Of green and shaded lanes,
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins.
Strong love of grey-blue distance,
Brown streams and soft, dim skies 
I know, but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise. 

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror
The wide brown land for me!

The stark white ring-barked forests,
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon,
Green tangle of the brushes
Where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops,
And ferns the warm dark soil.

Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When, sick at heart, around us
We see the cattle die
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the rainbow gold,
For flood and fire and famine
She pays us back threefold.
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze ...

An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand
though Earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country
My homing thoughts will fly.

Here in Australia we tend to know the second verse of this particular poem the best.  We tend to do that with our songs and poems.  With our National Anthem and Waltzing Matilda we all know the first verse to only go hmmmmhmmmhmmhmhm and mutter and make out we all know the words of the second verse, but most of us don't.  Hilarious and dreadful all at the same time when that happens.

Still have only one element to heat up my water for tea or coffee.  Still find cups around the place when in the middle of decluttering.  Here is one I found earlier.

Kind of describes how I am decluttering.  No 'wrong way' though.

Anyway, after the heat, I got stuck into watching more VHS's and have had a ball reminiscing old movies, programmes, doco's and finding old footage of the family before and post children.  My son just couldn't believe his eyes seeing his big sis as a baby or toddler.   Something he had seen in photos but not in film.  And as for me he felt my voice had changed.  Body yes.  Not so sure about the voice.  Maybe deeper.

The videos will take a long time to get through and don't want to focus only on that.  That is something I will do periodically.  Need to get the computer out of the Dining Room and into the Study.

Today my bestie Sue came to help me move 2 big items to get the next part going, otherwise I will be at a standstill infinitum.  I showed her the logistics of what I wanted and even she thought we would have a hard time at first.  But like with any puzzle it really is just a matter of step by step and following the right steps as you go.  

First we moved the stuff out into the LoungeRroom onto the second couch.  I vacuumed as we went bit by bit.  Then moved the furniture around in the Study to make way for the other piece to be moved from my bedroom into the Study.  We then manoeuvred the items within the room to be in situ.  

The rest is now up to me to get the place back to some ship shape normalcy.  I will show via photos with before, during and after when I am finished with this round hopefully in the next post.

After that, next will be moving the glass cabinet from the corridor and camphor chest under the dining table to be moved to my bedroom and then and only then can the Lounge Room be rejigged.  

All sounds so simple.  But it is also very time consuming.  Patience is the key element required.

I am trying to get as much done before I get a job as I know the minute I get a job it will be on for young and old for me to try and find time to do any decluttering.  Trying to make hay while I can and utilise my downtime wisely.

Sue was surprised in the end how well we actually did.  Even she thought we wouldn't get this lot done just by looking at it. I am so grateful for her help as it means now I can get on with my next piece of the process and get closer to my vision.  Very cozy and comfortable.

The computer table is chockers and needs to be cleared so that we can move the computer there.   The couch will need to be dealt with asap so that my son can watch TV also.  That and any visitors if I and when I get any.  Something I don't encourage due to the stigma attached to clutter.  It matters not that one has been hard at it for sometime and actively doing something about it.  Just the look and the stare and the stammer says it all.

With the recent winds my backyard now looks even worse than before as the peach tree now has more of the limbs fallen across 2 parts of the yard.  Just glad it hasn't taken out any of the fences as I wouldn't be able to pay for any repairs just yet.

I saw this photo on Facebook and just liked it that I had to share here.

You either love books or you don't.  I do and have to be more selective and have culled several times over.  But I am sure I can do more.  Books and magazines can be the undoing of anyone.  They need space and plenty of it, but boy, when done well it does make a home look homely.

At times when I am in the moment of the action of decluttering I feel like this.

Very overwhelmed.  Sue did say today, even though I was living in a 'mess', she could see that I was making progress.  But 'oi vai' what a mess!

I have said this before and it doesn't hurt to be reminded and say it again to do the following while going through anything traumatic or extremely draining.

However, I would add number eleven and make it- 
11. 'Don't forget to declutter a shelf or draw once a week.  That way the 'stuff' will never get on top of you ever again'. 

When I start to get down and when it seems the going is slowing down, I just remind myself.

I do know what I want to end up with and that is a home that reflects me and makes me feel at peace and in harmony with the world inside and outside.  One that I am on top of and not on top of me.  I am on my way finally.

In the meantime, I intend to keep doing the following.

and

That and hugs do help to soothe ones horrors.

So I will just keep on turning those pages to get to the next chapter and know that all the slog will be worth it in the end.  This book will have a happy ending.  Of this I am going to make happy.

Also, don't stop going out.  Life doesn't stop so you shouldn't either! 

It helps to share wonderful moments with family and friends.  The one's that love and support you.  Those are the one's that matter.  This helps keep one going while on this journey to declutter or any journey or project for that matter.  It gives you time to regroup and re-energise to get back to it.  Some fun along the way is a must.  Do not stop living.  The clutter isn't going anywhere so you may as well not miss out on any of these precious moments either.  

This day was one of the most pleasant and joyous days I have had over the years and so glad I got to go to Brooke's Bridal Shower and one that I will treasure for years to come along with many others.  Thanks to Lynn who is the best.  

One day I will get to enjoy that home I so want to create in all it's comfort and beauty.

I decided to let the sunshine in a long time ago.  No negativity, no nasties, no toxins, no insults, no one or nothing that does any of these horrors are actively deflected or ignored.  As one dear friend, Ali, said to me many moons ago '... just out nice them or the situation....'.  A mantra to be taken seriously. 

Only laughter, friendship, respect, giving and loads of love for me.  Nothing but as much positivity as possible.

Hope to have a heap done within the next week.  Now let's see how I go with that statement!

All will be revealed next time round.

Cheers all

Anita with a huge load on... wish me luck!!!

Invisible progress!

Hi Guys,

One week now and for looking at the spaces, you wouldn't even know I have done anything let alone made any progress!

This is the time when one can get deeply demoralised and can cause one to stop.  The work you have been slogging at is INVISIBLE!!! 

Even to yourself!

You can imagine how that must make one feel!  The doubt pours in.  The loud resounding questions rolling around your brain screaming 'why am I doing this??????????'.  Well, it is obvious why when we can see it, touch it and feel it.  But not so obvious when it isn't bloody obvious.

This is the very time you have to find ways to make you keep going.  This INVISIBLE can happen a few times through the whole process so this is important to get on top of a strategy that works for you.  Otherwise, one could be doomed to never get out from under the 'stuff' ever!

If all else fails, I highly recommend the 'breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out over a few times slowly' along with a seriously good cuppa tea.

You may ask... 'what has gotten me to this state of fluster after going so well'.

Good question.  Glad you asked.

Have been busy getting teenage son to get involved with his room and in order.  No mean task.  But I take delight in even the minutest task done. 

What with him doing his room and me trying to get the study up and running the whole house looks like a shambles.  Even robbers wouldn't know where to start?  They would come in and say 'What tha' and nick off in sheer terror.  I did mention in a past post that one of the few 'plus' sides to having too much stuff and not in its rightful place is they can't find all of what you might have and really don't have a clue when dealing with a house stuffed to the gunnels.  Even robbers like a tidy home. 

I will state this is no reason not to get oneself back on track though.

So what have I achieved?

Well, my sons cupboard now has 'HIS' clothes hanging up in there, which before had items of my parents, along with Latvian National folk costumes.  These are now hanging in the cupboard in the Study.  I culled more as I transferred and also hung what I intend to sell, along with winter coats, jackets and other seasonal clothing etc and the national outfits that I intend to keep sealed in their very own cocoon. 

Getting more organised does takes time.

I am culling my video tapes as well.  Yes... VHS.  DVD has it's limitations also.  But that is a whole other blog altogether.  I have shows from eons ago, including old movies that you just cannot get and will dub down to DVD.  But the most interesting ones are where I have copied Oprah shows about topics that were important to me back then. How interesting to look back.  The earliest so far has been from 1998.  No joke.

There were 2 episodes of  'Spring Clean Your Life' or along those lines.  I was in the throws of my life spinning out of control, but had no idea it was about to get a million times worse.  If only that crystal ball actually worked.  Looking back sure has its benefits in the plus as well the negative. There were various banners of those who control, those who were OCD and also along with the clutter bug.  The then expert was Julie Morgenstern 'Organising From The Inside Out', and she actually had some very interesting points and tips that made sense to me.

Some that will be helpful to me right now and very timely I must say.

This is her with the then book.

She used the acroynym S.P.A.C.E.

S - for sort first by grouping and no running around.  Have a box handy for items to go back to kitchen, bathroom etc and do in one hit at the end. 
Now that one I will use.  The time it will save will be enormous.

P - for purge by tossing anything broken, missing a part, stained, torn etc as well as donate.

A - is assign kept items and can even assign zones within a zone ie filing for instance.

C - is where you then only go to seek the containers to put said assigned items and if you do not have suitable go buy what fits and looks good in the space and label so easy to see quickly what is inside.
This was interesting, but it made sense to do this last as you invariably will save money and be able to make the intended space look really schmick.

E - is Equalise but I put my spin of evaluate.  This part is an ongoing part of the acroynym.  Maintain, reassess with period tune ups so as to avoid later massive catch ups. 
Now this sounds all good to me, but haven't quite gotten there as yet, but is still very much my ultimate aim.

Julie said to organise one space at a time.  This makes sense if you are not in overload everywhere like myself.  But I will use this to my advantage eventually and do the current space a few times till I get it to what I see in my minds eye.

Here are some statts she stated, which I am sure still holds true even today.  Remember this was from 1998 that had some very interesting hairdo's!

The time wasted taken in searching for items is a minimum of 12 weeks per year and this was conservative.  I would agree to this. 

The fact that you cannot find things costs you more money.  Again, I would agree with this.
As I wrote earlier my son is going over his room.  We had to return books and one was missing and he said he lost it.  Lost it alright.  Had to pay the school money for the lost book when school broke up prior to Christmas.  My cherub sheepishly came out of his room with said book behind his back.  I am sure that once we return the book the monies will be refunded, but this is a perfect example of monies being wasted.  There are many more, but hope this makes the point clear. 

More money in our pockets is a great incentive to downsize, purge, declutter, get sorted no matter how you say it.

Mess is stress.  Well, dah!

Now this expert impressed me as she accepted that there were those who liked abundance around them and actually were wired that way and needed it.  I liked how she said it.  ABUNDANCE.  How nice is that.  No shame, no stigma, just said nicely.  She said this can be achieved as long as you streamline the above, which is what I do anyway.  But the fact that she added this and allowed for abundance and our differences was for my mind blowing.

The discussion got to when you are doing the business of sorting etc that there will come a point where one becomes overwhelmed.  She said that this is an important point in the process, but never got clearly clarified in the discussion.  For me it means you are about to break the camels back and head to better parts of the process.

There was a guest called Victoria Moran 'Shelter For The Spirit', who said to design your space from your soul... sounds very Oprahish now doesn't it... I see it as setting your room/space with all the things that you love.  Maybe that is the same thing, but thought it was worth a mention as at times a key sentence or phrase will make sense to one and yet not to another.  Very weird, but very true.

Here is Victoria on that very show.

And her book.

There were several 'SFTS' with different subtitles.  I am guessing that this was the one being referred to at that  time.


There was discussion as to why this habit is and one sentence bandied around was that it served to not to deal with clutter meant you could use that block to avoid something else that was an even bigger bother to you.  Interesting.  Yes and no.  For some yes.  For ethnics no.  We keep for the recession, food shortages, strikes and wars etc.  Reasons can vary, but this is also still valid.

Another point that I myself don't do strictly is set time limits.  Time your to do's so as to avoid unfulfilled intentions.  My timelines are rather vague, but as time goes on and my pile gets smaller I will more than likely have to take this strategy on board at some stage.  Just like a marathon runner who paces every step of the way to when upon entering that arena to do that last lap as a sprint to get to that enticing finishing line.

Now I am not keeping this VHS as I have now noted the more interestings aspects of its contents here in my blog.  Who knew this blog would be more useful than at first glance.  Gotta love that!

After I remove all items out of the study the next step is to move the furniture to their new zones/homes. 

Then next the domino begins.

Next will be the computer to be set up.

Only items in assigned places placed back in.

Re do the entire lounge.

Finalise the dining room.

Then that part is over and I take a short break before tackling what is under the carport.

After my birthday gathering the other day one said when is the garden bee for a few offers of help with the backyard to be expressed, so will have to organise a gardening bee with a BBQ at the end as a thank you in there somewhere as well.  This sounds like fun to me as I have helped at a few garden bees myself for others and have seen what can be achieved first hand.

As you can see my work is cut out for me.

After the carport I will call upon my trusty clutter whisperer to help in the kitchen.

In the show I watched as they sorted a kitchen like mine and it took 5 women, one being the expert and 2 days to complete and back then the quote to do this was $1,500 US dollars when it double the value of the Australian dollar, so it would have cost here $3,000!!! 

Did I say avoidance was an option?  No, just joking.

I have strategies to get this cost down to an affordable minimum and in doing so means it will get done over many weekends instead.

OK, have to go and the next lot done and get myself a cuppa tea while doing this.  Try to avoid having many cups of tea around the house while you do this as you will find cups all over the house at the end of the day.

In this case 'just over halfway to finishing'!

One cup at all times only, otherwise you will be finding cups for days afterwards. 

Been there, done that.

Cheers all
Anita

ps. Just found out that my kettle has bitten the dust.  Ugh.  Lucky I still have one element on the stove in which to boil some water the old fashioned way.

Do Clutter Buster Experts help?

Hi Guys,

Having a heatwave here in Australia.  In Melbourne we got just over 40 degrees Celsius yesterday.

That's 104 Fahrenheit for all you guy's still using imperial.

Along with the heat we get slammed with these hot northerly winds from the deserts from the center of Australia and boy are they oppressive.  The gusts of winds can reach incredible speeds and this time round since our Black Saturday back in 2009 is no exception.  Very scary as we are all tinder box dry and all it takes is a spark to start what can turn out to be devastating.  Hence, why I have not made any progress with my 'downsizing' since.


By the way 43.5 Celsius is 110 Fahrenheit.  We are expecting 41 on Monday and have had up to 48 in 2009.  In South Australia and Western Australia they can go up and beyond 50!  Harsh conditions indeed.

I get the Oprah newsletters via email and noticed a recent article of sorts with Peter Walsh.  An Aussie doing well in the USA with his helpful clutter hints.  I would dearly love to know if he ever went through this himself.

I have listened and used some of these tips myself  (however I tweak them to suit).  They always come across as not really understanding that we all are not the same.  These tips do not suit nor fit all.  My advice is to use the tips given and toss out that don't.


For example here is one of his quote's from the article...

..................“The only kind of clothes you should have in your closet are clothes that fit you, clothes you look great in, and clothes that garner you tons of compliments when you wear them. Don’t have 'wish' clothes in your closet. Those clothes exist for only one reason: to mock you.”

— Peter Walsh

I don't agree that this is the case.  I have a lot of clothes that I rotate and change.  I have loads of dresses that I haven't worn for a long time and now am just getting back to wearing them.  This can be a seasonal thing.  It is also well and good if you can afford to just toss everything away.  Things can be altered or changed or sold.  Not everything is this black and white.


Next up is...

...............“We believe if we let go of the object, we’ll lose the memory. You need to shift your mindset...If someone has given you something, that person wants you to be happy before they want you to hold on to all of this stuff.”

— Peter Walsh  

Obviously, Peter never met my family!  In this instance he doesn't seem to include those from many walks of life especially those from ethnic backgrounds.  We hold onto everything.  When my family elders gave me presents they expected them to be in the family for generations and become heirlooms!  Seriously.


Next quote...

.............“Find the treasures in your sentimental clutter. Take photographs of the rest, and let it go.”

— Peter Walsh

I agree with this one wholeheartedly.  Not easy to start to do, but once you do it will make your decisions of what to let go that much easier and will help you through this process with less angst and heartache.


Next quote...

..................“The secret to successful decluttering is this: You will never get organized if you don’t have a vision for the life you want... Ask, 'Does this thing create that vision or get in the way of that vision? If it does, hold on to it with all your life. If it doesn’t, why is it in your home?”

— Peter Walsh

This one I am on the fence with.  Not the best position to be in, but it is not always that simple, especially for those that rent.  You may not have the earning capacity to make everything great for each residence.  For example, curtains.   I always had loads of curtains in varying shades and sizes to fit the windows of where I lived.  I have saved an enormous amount of money by this alone.  If I tossed them every time I would have kept the shop Spotless even richer and me poorer.  I do get what is meant here, but not always achievable.  This I would tweak for the renters out there.


Last quote for this section...

................“What I know for sure is that when you declutter—whether it's in your home, your head, or your heart—it is astounding what will flow into that space that will enrich you, your life, and your family.”

— Peter Walsh

This is where we all would like to head and get to.  Once there some will feel it instantly.  Others wont.  But that is okay.  Just which journey we choose to get there is the choice we make that will help us enjoy what you have when you get there in the end.  In my case I have chosen to take my time so I can enjoy life along the way and be involved with my children as they grew/grow.  I know I wont regret this choice to actively purge the 'stuff' slowly.  Having read on one would believe that everyone has a plethora of help and assistance or huge families with hubby's at the ready, willing and able to help.  I am alone and help is not always so freely available.  That and I don't want to overtax my friends and hey... keep them as friends.  Some things you just have to do yourself.  And that means time in abundance is needed along with patience.


If that isn't enough this article had a quiz which I decided to take.  Both ways as in twice.  My goodness how to win and influence people to be proactive.  Give me a break.  Why do people have to use sarcasm as a form to motivate.  That is the last thing that would help me out of my doldrums.  If this is any indication of the 'help' I could expect, then I would run for the hills.

Took this test twice to see what would happen.

First time did it for real and this came up.

...................Your Result:

Good news. You're a clutter victim.

This may not sound like good news, but it means that you, like so many others, have fallen victim to the clutter buildup that's hard to avoid when you have a busy life, diverse interests, disposable income, family memorabilia and a steady influx of purchases and junk mail. Not to worry. With a reasonable amount of effort, you'll be able to get your clutter issues under control and keep them that way. 

Next: How to de-clutter your home for good

Well, no surprises there, but hardly a disposable income.  That is an assumption I would never make.  Otherwise, fairly harmless.  Did go to the next step, but will write about that in a moment.



Next, I did the test and made everything bad as could be and here is the result of the quiz and what was said...

.....................Your Result:

 Uh-oh. Looks like you're a hard-core hoarder.

It's amazing that you found a pen to take this quiz. But don't take it too hard or feel overwhelmed: The first step is admitting the problem. Remember that sometimes a first round of decluttering isn't enough. A few months after your first purge, you'll look at the same stuff you thought you couldn't throw out and realize you haven't touched it since your cleanup. It takes a while to get used to the idea that if you don't use it, if it's not part of your life, if it doesn't serve your goals, then it's just a waste of space. You'll get there!

Next: 5 steps to get in control of your clutter

Well, that just warms the cockles of my heart.  First off, it was an on-line quiz and you would have to question the reference to the pen and person who made that comment.  And after that ... like as if you would read on feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and looking forward to such positive suggestions!  Not.

Why put someone down if your intent is to help?  This is exactly what I object to. Why when someone's down, kick 'em while they are down instead of what had started out as proposing to be helpful.  Now just imagine if I had taken this quiz all those years ago when I was miserable and grieving as to how low I would have felt reading this back then.  This is never a joke when the recipient doesn't feel it and this can seriously hurt people and do more serious damage.

More harmful than helpful if you ask me.

Luckily, I can see it for what it is now, hence why I started this blog in order for all not to feel put down or demoralised in any way.  But rather feel supported through what is a most difficult time in ones life to do.

I wouldn't even bother to go any further.  But I did go to the next step for the sake of the exercise.

Guess what.

The advice was exactly the same for both outcomes.

Really.  Are you serious.  If the outcomes were different why is the help the same?  So why ridicule one and not the other?  This is when I get hot under the collar.

If you cannot say something nice then don't say 'nothin' at all.

This quiz may not have been made by Peter Walsh as this was not in keeping with his style.  However, it is attached to his article.  It is in no way helpful in anyway as I see it.

There is no need to put people down and into little boxes of hardcore loathing attitude.

Just makes me sad when these types of things are out there to keep those who have an issue with 'Clutter' in a state of shame.  It is just so unnecessary.

The lady who came to my place to help me get started in my lounge room earlier last year never and I mean not once made me feel ashamed, but rather looking forward to the possibilities.  This is how it should be done.

So in answer to my question, to a point they help if it is done with kindness of spirit and sincere intent.

Like all advice we must take it with a grain of salt and toss out what does not fit the moment.

If it is said with sarcasm and malice then don't bother with it at all.

I would like to say, even if I don't see Peter Walsh as the guru myself I do not think he was responsible for the quiz.  That would have been some sub-editor's doing and being Oprah I will be sending an email noting what my thoughts are on that.

Chime in with your thoughts on experts and shows highlighting the worst end of this topic.

Well Cheers once more from one overheated in many ways
Anita

2013 AND WE'RE OFF!

Hi Guys,

Mini update to say I am holding true to my easy going resolution.

Here is the my old room part vacated pre-vac...

The old dining table has seen better days and this is the state it is in after being used as a work desk during my daughter's high school years.  At least it got her through all her art work with the space she required.

You know what this means?  My most favourite activity... more sanding... ugh!

Here is the remains of one of her 'doodles'.  Not sure if I will be able to sand that on out.

Table in situ.

Now I know it doesn't look like much now and am still a long way at the bottom of this next step, but am now that little bit more closer to where I am heading.  The next part is sanding the table and staining and sealing.  Oh, how I am going to love that.  Drop sheets here we come.

Discussed my strategy and stages of the domino effect with my daughter yesterday and I now have a plan of action.  Each stage is dependent on assistance or prep work such as now and will take a few weeks.  I am hoping to be finished by the end of January so I can then get started on what is left under the Carport.before Winter sets in.

That light at the tunnel is almost in view.

How are you all going with your 'stuff'.  If you have tossed even just one thing in the bin, then fantastic.  Fear or lethargy can hold one back.  If that is the case just close yours eyes and go for it anyway.  It wont hurt a bit.

Cheers
Anita at Stage 100,001 and still going.