Tulips in my garden pushing through which gives rise to hope ...
I had such a wonderful moment last week. The library called to say there was a book in for me - yeah. When I got there to pick up the book, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, I thought oh, OK, I don't remember requesting, but a need a read ... when I said to the lovely young librarian that I didn't remember requesting, she said "oh you didn't, I knew how much you liked the author's first book, The Keeper of Lost Things, so when I saw that she had a new book, I put you on the wait list." How cool is that - they know me, they look after me at my library. I am forever grateful for this kindness. Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes has taken a few chapters to really get into, but I have now embraced the main character & her friends.
I also picked up a book I had requested, The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker. I read about 4 chapters & then got out of bed & started to de-clutter a table top 4 drawer bin of scrapping stuff. Three of those drawers are now empty. Next day I tackled the big 6 drawer storage bin - I cleared out two drawers before I started the "well maybe I'll keep, I may need" When I hear myself say that, I know I'm done for that moment of de-cluttering & sorting. I think my time limit is about 15-20 minutes of really productive sorting, after that I then start bargaining with myself. In the next couple of weeks I will tackle my closets - yes I said the plural, I have more than one & in there may lie the problem. Mind you living in a 4 season multi climate place, it does require major differences in wardrobe needs & hence a need for multiply closets - there justified - BUT - they still need de-cluttering & sorting.
I made these cards at the last Sunday card workshop. I now stamp all envelopes in the belief that there should be no naked envelopes going out into the postage system.
It's a go for starting the Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt May 1st. I'll post the list before the end of this month. I hope everyone joins in for the fun.
That’s brilliant service by the librarian. I wish our local one was as good.
ReplyDeleteI think 20 minutes is a good chunk of time to be working on sorting and decluttering. It’s what I’ve been doing and it soon adds up to show real progress.
Yay to the scavenger hunt starting soon!
I have been very blessed with my relationships at the library, part of the charm of a small village. I agree 20 minutes is my max for effective de-cluttering. Sorting I can do longer as long as it isn't about any decision; keep,donate ...
DeleteYour library lady is a treasure. It's nice to be looked after like that :) The Minimalist Home sounds like an inspiring read. I agree it's hard to pare clothes down when you have 4 distinct seasons. I love your cards and coordinating envelopes. The perfect touch!
ReplyDeleteThanks. About 3 years ago 4 of the librarians I was use to all retired & I was unsure how the new ones would be; of the bunch, I would say there are 2 that really "get me" & one is definitely my reading companion.
DeleteI will certainly be joining in - and happy that we have an early start this year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful librarian you have - I read The Keeper of Lost Things last year too.
Deb glad you will be joining in the search, I'm sure your two big holidays will have all kinds of possibilities for you :)
DeleteFirst off, your cards are just lovely. I should take up your habit of stamping envelopes. I often am just grateful to get the cards in the mail in time! I laughed when I read about you hopping out of bed to declutter. Inspirational books about decluttering motivate me as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen. There's a Stampin Up lady, Connie Stewart that does uTubes & that is her big thing, no naked envelopes.
DeleteYou sound as if you are well into spring cleaning -good for you! The inspiration is yet to strike me.
ReplyDeleteChris I think the inside is only because it is still to darn cold to be outside in the garden - now that's were I want can find true joy in de-cluttering :)
DeleteAnother vote for the cards from me! Love the bottom one, and as a recipient I can say that seeing a motiv on the envelope is a fun taster - a clue to whet one's appetite for the main event!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that your community is such that the library staff know you and what you're into. Ours are mostly pretty distant: though they know me very well it's usually me who has to initiate conversation. Just as well you hadn't already read that book though... or it could have been a wasted journey/disappointment!
Thanks Lady Ella. Glad you liked your card, it was new technique of gradual stamping - it was with a tool call Stamparatus. I agree that stamping the envelope leads you in to the envelope. I will occasionally take treats to the librarians, I make it the unexpected days, which I think helps with my bonding. Nothing like a cookie to win them over :)
DeleteOh my goodness, that was such a wonderful thing for the librarian to do!! And the short-time decluttering sounds like it's working well for you. We've done quite a bit of it lately (in fact, that's what I'm sharing for tomorrow's TTT).
ReplyDeleteIt's finding the enthusiasm to just start, so any book or video that helps, I'm all in. I'm now delving into why we as a society fill our homes with stuff ...
DeleteHow lovely that your library looks after you. I mostly interact with mine online to download audiobooks. I don't need to be picking up books as I have far too many around here unread. Which brings me to your bargaining comment. Been there, still do that. I get better about the downsizing when I remember that clutter does cause me unconscious stress and I imagine the clean streamlined look of clear tabletops and shelves. We need to switch the clothes in our master bedroom closet soon, so I will be challenged not to begin self-bargaining again. I look forward to the photo scavenger hunt.
ReplyDeleteOh that self bargaining has been rampant these last few attempts, so I'm putting scrapping sorting on hold for a bit as I'm going to try Love It Chop It Method to see if that doesn't help.
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