In addition to volunteerism and educational pursuits and household management tasks, there's the joyful addition of crocheting for all the new babies on their way into my life. I probably should have gotten organized before I began a new passion, but the urge was overwhelming; I could not resist.
And then there is the problem of all these books.
The shelves go to the ceiling.
They are full.
We've culled the collection several times over since we moved to Arizona.
I try to restrain myself, but.....
Big Cuter double stacks his library.
The problem is genetic, it seems.
I have made some progress.
These boxes contain files regarding houses and vehicles we no longer own.
There are tax files from well into the 20th century and NO I cannot shred them.
I asked.
They can live in the closet.
The garage was too far from ..... I'm not sure.
Those boxes left us with empty drawers.
I can fill one with yarn and needles and hooks.
I can fill one or two with GRIN paraphernalia.
I can leave them empty and see where the needs arise.
So many possibilities.
It's too bad that I have to do the work,
Would that the intention alone created the result.
My house would be immaculate every day.
Oh my, I think you snuck (is that a word??) in and took a picture of my office! That bookshelf looks exactly like mine. So does the mess.
ReplyDeleteIt helps to know I am not alone!!! It seems that all my friends are MUCH neater than I.
DeleteWhat have you done to alleviate the bookshelf problem? I'm desperate!!
We don't even use our office anymore. It's turned in to a dumping place for paperwork. I need to get in there and clean it up. We used our office when we used desktop macs, but now we use our laptops and sit in the family room.
ReplyDeleteFeel for you!
Megan xxx
"Dumping place for paperwork".... that's the nub of my problem. I can put stuff in there and turn my back....until it threatens to overtake the rest of the house.
DeleteMy mother's house was pristine. Where did I go wrong?!?
For us, we can just close the doors and then it's out of sight; out of mind. You are making me feel like I need to get in there. Totally dreading it. xxx
DeleteOh, my, those pictures sent my OCD into overdrive. Why can't you shred those documents? We have taken boxes of stuff (previously stored in our rented storage unit) to shred events. Otherwise, we too would be overwhelmed with 39 years of papers. My rule, since retiring, is something old has to go in for each new item brought it.
ReplyDeleteHusband is attached to those papers.... I have tried... believe me, I have tried..... The heirs will deal with it and laugh at him then!
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I have a friend whose husband has said the same thing, let the kids handle it after we die. However, both of their kids live far away so I know what will happen. They will pay someone to come in and clean it all out.If they don't come when the person is alive, they sure as heck aren't coming after they die. I saw this with a friend of mine who was so sure her sister would come from out of state and take care of the house and its contents. Didn't happen. I was tasked with the job of cleaning out the house and disposing of everything, including her car. It was very, very hard. I would not wish that job on anyone.
DeleteHowever, just thought of this since that new grand baby is on its way. I cleaned out all of the drawers in the guest room (had been our daughter's room) and they are filling up with things for the grandkids when they come to stay. I have always kept two drawers empty for the kids' clothes when they come to stay, but now I'm buying clothes for them to have here and the drawers are filling up. Guess my one old thing out for one new thing in rule has been ignored where the grandchildren are involved.
ReplyDeleteMy husband, who runs his consulting firm out of one of what used to be our bedrooms, has more of this problem than I do. I tend to throw out more than I should. Right now it's a mess beside my desk but that's due to research and when this book is written, it will be gone. I do have some bookshelves double stacked but having discovered Kindles, I find some of the problem has disappeared. Unlike some who only like paper books, I find eBooks enable me to have a LOT more books and no storage issues. Although even there, I do delete if I have read something and know I never will want to read it again.
ReplyDeleteI'm still not loving the Kindle for reading (it feels like screen time instead of book time) but it has saved me space, for sure. I do not throw things out... you never know when that exact box or sticker or shred of something will be "just the thing"......
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What kind do you have? I like the ones where you click to change pages and it's not lit up which means a little portable light at night or stick to daytime. It is not like the computer for me where I spend a LOT of time. I didn't like my husband's swipe either. When he got a new one, he bought the bigger size but click and not color. I think it's easier on the eyes and more readable. I just read a whole series of books for research and didn't ruin my neck either like I tend to do reading hardbacks.
ReplyDeleteI hurt my thumb from turning the pages.... had to laugh... then realized that I'd never injured myself while reading a "real" book... I like the convenience of it, and the classic freebies for school save me space and $$ but I'm a paper book girl til the end.
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