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Archive through February 28, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions: 2004 Aug - Oct: TVCH's Home & Life Organization (ARCHIVES): Archive through February 28, 2004 users admin

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Spinner
Member

10-27-2003

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh, LK, I've done all that you've thought of! And my supplies and tools are really neat; there's just more of them than I'd like, Unfortunately, it's all quality, it's all clean and usable, all organized, etc. (And most of it was expensive--or expensive as that particular item goes.) There's nothing wrong with any of it, or I would have gotten rid of it long ago! I just wish that I had a more minimalist-looking room. Maybe that's just not the definition of a craft room!

I agree that the only solution is to keep thinking about what's not appealing, and isn't likely to be. And to try not to get interested in any more hobbies!

At our house, though, with both of us supposedly retired (but busier than ever, working harder than ever, but only at what we really enjoy and at the hours that we choose) we've always believed that hobbies were very important and now we really do have more time to enjoy them. Every member of the family has always had his/her hobby choices fully supported--we believe this is something that keeps our minds sharp, developed the minds of our children into sharp minds (and it seems to have paid off; we have interesting children with interesting occupations--at least we think so!) and I think we have come to terms that some storage space for these things (some tools/equipment for some hobbies is very large) is required. I'm just wanting a room that has some bare wall space and some shelves that are partly vacant. Goodness knows there are worse problems. I'll just keep turning it over in the back of my mind and probably something one of you has suggested will pop out in an idea that will make me wonder why I never thought of it!

Sherrie, my FLYing has turned into a delightful little personal pleasure and I'm sure that's keeping me motivated, although just seeing how clean everything is is even more motivating. My list of things I ought to get around to doing (a list only in my mind until recently) is so much shorter and now that it's written down partly, as I notice these things, I'm refreshed just not having to remember so much. And reading some of the flylady stories about what others are facing makes me truly grateful that I didn't have to start that far back because it could have so easily happened. I've just never happened to be happy around clutter so once we cleared out the areas of the house where we'd allowed our kids to store stuff they "might come back for" someday we were ok about clutter. But my total disorganization about the housework means that had I been ok about clutter, we would have had it in spades.

Oh, yes, Sherrie--I more than "like and respect" my husband; I LOVE this good man! He's truly one of God's angels. Even if he does snore like a banshee. And yes, if a squirrel bites the dust in front of the house (all too frequently these days; why don't they just live on our side of the street, where the food is?) he'll go out and shovel it up so we don't have to look at it everytime we go out.

And thank you all for your support and for sharing your stories. That's how I'm learning how to do this and how I'm clarifying my thinking about it.

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Spinner: In that case, work on making some other area of the house minimalist.

Seriously, I love minimalism in practice. But I find that it usually looks too stark and sterile for my taste.

You do get to keep things you love--and trust me, given what you HAVE discarded, consider it your own version of minimalism!

Spinner
Member

10-27-2003

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 10:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, LK! I think that's exactly right. I'm with you on minimalism as we usually see it; I just wanted a little bit! (Actually, when I think about it more, I suspect that somewhere deep inside me what I really want is enough room to set up a loom in this room. <G>)

So when I am feeling overstimulated, looking around my craft room, I will go sit in our lovely media room where the kids' clutter that wasn't in the garage used to reside, now cleared with both empty walls and empty shelves and enjoy that; besides, it's now the room that DH prefers so he's probably to be found there.

Thanks for the perspective. You have a great view of the bigger picture.

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 10:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Spinner: LOL at the loom.

My goal is to have some clear horizontal space in most of the rooms. I love streamlined rooms--and throughout most of the house, that IS what I have. (Or will have, depending on where I am with the clutter.) I like not having to move things to dust. I like not having a bunch of "stuff" to dust.

But I am also not going with a sterile approach. I want us to have a living space, not a "model home" space.

Spinner
Member

10-27-2003

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 7:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LK, I think we'd like to have rooms organized about the same! I don't want the model house look either. Sometimes I think the flylady goes a bit overboard-- I know she's trying to keep utter CHAOS from erupting in the homes of her fledgling FLYs; I don't have a problem with a single glass in the sink occasionally. People live in this house; it doesn't have to be perfect every single moment.

And why would we laugh at a loom? <G> They take up a lot of floor space, but a loom is a wonderful thing to have. Right now though, I have only a table loom up; I just don't have floor space for the bigger ones. BAck when our rumpus room was a playroom for the kids I had my widest floor loom up--it weaves fabric 45 inches wide, but now that we use that room for a multimedia room, there isn't room. DH, and I, with his hobby room about as crowded as mine, and the equipment for our backpacking, SCUBA, etc. taking up a lot of his space, often look at each other and wonder if, now that the kids are grown, we shouldn't consider a bigger house.

Sherrie
Member

11-23-2003

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 11:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    


Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Thursday, February 19, 2004 - 10:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Spinner: I'm laughing because whenever I have a large empty space, I think about what I could put in there to fill it, and it is USUALLY something craft related.

I am definitely not going for perfect. I just want well-functioning and minimized stress. And, once I get the remaining boxes gone, I'll be there!

I was amused. I found a basket I was going to get rid of and since putting it in the charity pile, the cats have been regularly sleeping in it. I've decided to hold onto it. I've placed the basket over by the plants, and the boys seem to enjoy the location. Do I love the basket? Not especially. Do I need the basket? Not really. But the boys like the basket, and that's good enough for me.

Spinner
Member

10-27-2003

Thursday, February 19, 2004 - 9:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That's right LK! If the boys like the basket it is indeed good enough for you! If your boys love it, then you "love it" too.

I suspect that like me, you wouldn't have to go BUY something to go in that "large empty space" should such a miracle happen and a big empty space appeared (that'll be the day!)--us crafties always have something that needs that space! In fact, that's the one thing I've decided that I CAN do about my full craft room; I'm going to start looking for ways to incorporate what I already have into some of my projects. It will fit right into a rule that I made for myself when I discovered Stampin' Up rubber stamps a couple of years ago: when I get a new set (they come with lots of related stamps in the package, not just one or two) I require of myself that I create at least 10 totally different projects with the set (15 if it's a really big set), just to get a good feel for what the different stamps in the set can be stretched to do. It is amazing what I've been able to use some of the accessory stamps for, and I know I've saved a bunch of money because I already have something that will work even though that isn't what it was designed for.

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Friday, February 20, 2004 - 9:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Almost all of my supplies can do double duty.

I also run a tight watch on what I do or do not use regularly. If I don't use it in a year, out it goes.

I am getting a handle on everything in the craft space--it's mostly a matter of being well organized. Which I can be when given the tools to get the STUFF put away.

Purplecow
Member

12-08-2003

Friday, February 20, 2004 - 4:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    

quote:

If I don't use it in a year, out it goes.


Does that mean I'm supposed to get rid of the box full of pony beads that hasn't been off the shelf since 1995? What about the tole paint I haven't touched for more than a decade? I mean the scroll saw is still in the garage . . . What if I were to cut something out and need to paint it? Hey, it could happen!


Spinner
Member

10-27-2003

Friday, February 20, 2004 - 4:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
It absolutely could happen, Purplecow. And has. I'll concede the paint--it's probably out of date and should go in the hazardous waste bin for the next time they pick that stuff up, but every well-equipped house should have a scroll saw. If you're not using it at least occasionally maybe you forgot you owned it; hang it in the garage where you can find it!

I'm not sure I know what pony beads are.

Purplecow
Member

12-08-2003

Friday, February 20, 2004 - 7:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
The paint is probably all dried up. Time to toss it. Can't hang up the scroll saw because it's bolted down. These are my pony beads:
beads

Which I used to make these:
scarf

I'm willing to find a good home for them, but not throw them away.

Spinner
Member

10-27-2003

Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 5:07 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Well, you can hardly misplace or forget that you could be using a scroll saw that's bolted down!

Thanks for the illustrations of the beads. There should be some "craft central" list where people could exchange leftover craft supplies; I don't think any of us like to throw extras away. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who could use the beads, but I bet there's somebody out there.

Jmm
Member

08-16-2002

Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 9:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Purplecow, You might look into an afterschool program or your local Parks and Rec summer program. I bet they would love to have the beads for the older kids to do crafts with.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 10:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Godd idea Jmm. Also, any Girl Scout council would love the beads, or even just any troop. If a particular troop couldn't use them, they'd find one who could. Girl Scouts are very thrifty.

Also, I think maybe preschools or Kindergarten classes would like them.

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 3:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wow, lots of activity in this thread. With everything going on around the house (Details)I am struggling to do the routines. For the next few weeks they'll just have to be suspended, but when everything is finally done I'll have more cupboard and counter space in the kitchen and a new floor in the largest part of the house. Looking forward to not having to run that noisy Dirtdevil too often in the future. Swiffer here I come.LOL
Hang in there, everyone and before we know it we'll be all living in a clutterfree home.
Oh, and if that DH finally notices the difference in his home and comments, somebody please leave me a note in my folder. I have been dying to find out when and how he'll react.LOL

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 2:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Tomorrow restarts my major push. I finally have my meds figured out (thank heavens!) and I will be dividing the days & weeks into thirds: work, home, and art.

Workwise, I have 16 vehicles on which to write-up all of the glass replacement instructions. It takes roughly 6-8 hours to do each vehicle. I only have to get in 2-3 vehicles each week.

Homewise, I need to deal with boxes, cleaning, creating a control journal, paperwork, stocking up, organizing, and gardening.

Artwise, I have three projects that need to be in the mail by 2/26.

I have gotten a schedule together to tackle everything. I know I can do it, I just have to break everything into increments. Fifteen to 20 minutes will let me complete everything without going insane.

I will have everything in great shape by my deadline of 3/31.

Purplecow
Member

12-08-2003

Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 6:54 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    

quote:

I will be dividing the days & weeks into thirds: work, home, and art


PLEASE tell me how to do this. I have a hard time separating because I work at home (except for trade shows and seminars), home is, or course, at home, and my work is closely tied to my "art." The one thing I've been able to do is separate out a sewing (my "art") room for myself to disengage it from work. It's helped some, but would help a whole lot more if I ever spent any time in there.

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 10:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Purple: I usually have blitzing sessions (and I did this pre-FlyLady) where I work for 20 minutes, and then take 10 minutes online to check with my blitzing partners.

What I do, to keep it fun and interesting, it to do Blitz 1: House; Blitz 2: Work; Blitz 3: Art. I set up a 9-hour day (8-5). By the end of the day, I have spent 3 hours on each item.

Since our apartment is so small, I can get my Zone work done in no more than 2 Blitzes, giving me 4 others to tackle boxes, etc. Artwise, I can get the vast majority of a section done, and then it has plenty of drying time, before I come back to it--curbing my impatience level. Workwise, I can usually finish a vehicle component in a blitz, so I am not leaving in mid-thought.

Spinner
Member

10-27-2003

Friday, February 27, 2004 - 3:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
We should all count our blessings. <G> I listened to the archive of yesterday's Mom Show on WorldTalkRadio, when the flylady was on and a caller asked how to handle this situation: She goes to bed each night with a shiny sink, ready for morning, and often gets up to find that her husband, waking up in the middle of the night hungry, has gone to the kitchen and cooked messy things, leaving the stove and sink both filthy. She mentioned the cooking of an entire pound of bacon, and, another time, chili, boiling on the stove with no lid on, so tomato splashed everywhere. I thought that this flummoxed the flylady, who suggested leaving something ready for him to eat in the middle of the night, but the caller believed that he really preferred to cook it and said she didn't want him to think he couldn't use the kitchen in his own house. I don't remember that his cleaning up his own mess was mentioned . . . ?

No, DH hasn't said a word, although I'm having fun sprinkling fly-like words into my conversation (shiny sink, CHAOS, etc.) just to see what he'd say--so far, he considers these normal conversation words! But he's never been a sink-clutterer, and I'm happy with the way the house is looking, and how little time I'm spending to make this improvement. He HAS noticed how often the vacuum cleaner is out--offers to carry it up the stairs quite often--the vacuum's "home" is downstairs. Come to think of it, I guess it's really upstairs only one day a week, but that's so much more than it used to be, back when I thought if I couldn't do the whole house I shouldn't do any of it.

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Friday, February 27, 2004 - 5:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Spinner wrote: "She goes to bed each night with a shiny sink, ready for morning, and often gets up to find that her husband, waking up in the middle of the night hungry, has gone to the kitchen and cooked messy things, leaving the stove and sink both filthy."

Sounds very familiar. I usually get up to honey spilled on the floor and/or counter. I've given up on the sink remaining empty from bedtime to getting up.

Spinner
Member

10-27-2003

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 7:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sheesh, LK. That's annoying, isn't it? Especially the honey.

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 11:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yup, especially when I step in it and my sock sticks to the floor.

Sherrie
Member

11-23-2003

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 12:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
The subject of husbands and late night eating could not have come at a better time for me. I have spent the last week at my sisters. She and her husband went away for the weekend and I watched her boys and than I stayed for a few days to give her some help. One of the things I witnessed was that she would clean the kitchen for the evening and when we would go down in the morning to get the boys breakfast and off to school her husband would have been midnight munching and leave a HUGE mess. When I asked my sister why she cleaned it up for him she said that she learned a long time ago that he could out wait her and she did it for her own sanity. I accepted her answer but did not understand it. Maybe I have lived alone for too long, but I just can't understand why it is the "wife's" job. If you make a mess you are responsible for cleaning it.

Now I did wonder what gene I did or did not get when my sister said that I could out wait anyone no matter how much of a pigsty it was...... Again, I accept that many women do this but I just can't figure out why it is the woman's job. The answer to this could explain why I am still single at 41 and have never been married.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 12:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
It shouldn't be the wife's job. But what does one do if one's husband just won't clean up after himself? I'm at a loss.

I think sometimes the situation is to live with the frustration of cleaning up after the husband or to live the frustration of having to look at his mess. Then to decide for oneself which is more frustrating and pick the least frustration situation, which for me varies, sometimes I leave it sometimes I pick it up...it depends on what it is, if we're having company etc.

But you're right Sherrie, it shouldn't be the wife's job.

And Spinner...you're right too. We should all count our blessings.