Because a whole house isn't enough to fill with clutter, we've also stored some stuff under the floor. It's basically our emergency supplies, plus an impressive collection of jam jars.
40 litres past-its-sell-by-date water (still useful for hand washing, toilet flushing etc in an emergency)
Gas-canister grill
4 tins of makerel fillets (best before Nov 2014)
2 tins potatoes (b.b. Feb 2012)
2 tins corned beef (bb 2014)
3 bottles of Ecover washing up liquid
3 candles.
2 packs of wipes
3 bottle of cheap fizz won in raffles.
Two boxes of empty jam jars.
That should cover all emergencies nicely!
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Coffee Table drawer
So I cleared our the coffee table drawer, which was crammed full of old birthday cards etc. One of them had an uncashed cheque for my son still in it, dated 2009. I kept the hand-made ones, ones with special messages etc and put the rest into the recycling box. And guess what? Son is not happy that I've thrown so many cards out. Despite the fact that he has taken so little interest in them for the last two years that he didn't realise he had a cheque in one, he doesn't want them recycled.
The coffee table drawer now contains:
30. Three bundles of old cards.
31. Two 78s which we believe were recorded by distant cousins of my husbands.
32. 7 beer mats which my husband collected over 20 years ago. A quick check of Ebay suggests they aren't worth anything.
33. 4 BT phonecards, which might be worth E-baying.
34. 3 badges.
35. 1 hand-knitted egg cosy. (I knitted this pre 1991)
36. A totally pointless folding beaker from Glamis castle, which appears unwashable if ever actually used.
37. Several sets of instructions.
38. 2 biros.
39. Souvenir disc of Queen's Golden Jubilee.
40. Piece of flint - can't remember why this should be significant.
41. Half-used book of matches commemmorating the Queen's Silver Jubilee 1977.
42. Set of mint coins from 1994. (Ebay suggests they're worth about £20.)
43. A bicycle headlight.
I have no idea why half these things are in this drawer rather than elsewhere, or why some of them have been kept so long.
The coffee table drawer now contains:
30. Three bundles of old cards.
31. Two 78s which we believe were recorded by distant cousins of my husbands.
32. 7 beer mats which my husband collected over 20 years ago. A quick check of Ebay suggests they aren't worth anything.
33. 4 BT phonecards, which might be worth E-baying.
34. 3 badges.
35. 1 hand-knitted egg cosy. (I knitted this pre 1991)
36. A totally pointless folding beaker from Glamis castle, which appears unwashable if ever actually used.
37. Several sets of instructions.
38. 2 biros.
39. Souvenir disc of Queen's Golden Jubilee.
40. Piece of flint - can't remember why this should be significant.
41. Half-used book of matches commemmorating the Queen's Silver Jubilee 1977.
42. Set of mint coins from 1994. (Ebay suggests they're worth about £20.)
43. A bicycle headlight.
I have no idea why half these things are in this drawer rather than elsewhere, or why some of them have been kept so long.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Living room
16. Three piece suite, cram, second hand from my parents.
17. G-plan coffee table, wedding present, 22 years old.
18. Piano, bought at least 10 years ago, second hand.
19. Piano stool - second hand from my grandparents, recovered 5 years ago, perhaps 60 or more years old?
20. Unit with shelves and drawers, bought second hand twenty years ago, with a bit that hinges down to provide a writing surface. Very handy at the time, but we now have desks, so not used.
21. Bookcase full of videos, DVDs, computer games. Bought in 2003.
22. Nest of three occasional tables, bought second hand from charity shop.
23. Two standard lamps, bronze coloured.
24. Chest, on which stands
25. Cockateil cage, complete with cockateil.
26. Cream carpet, left by previous owners.
27. Beige curtains bought about 3 years ago.
28. Lampshade, bought in 2003, starting to look discoloured.
29. Television.
I like all this. Maybe slightly shabby, but comfy and it would be relaxing, if it weren't overlaid with clutter. Of which more, later.
17. G-plan coffee table, wedding present, 22 years old.
18. Piano, bought at least 10 years ago, second hand.
19. Piano stool - second hand from my grandparents, recovered 5 years ago, perhaps 60 or more years old?
20. Unit with shelves and drawers, bought second hand twenty years ago, with a bit that hinges down to provide a writing surface. Very handy at the time, but we now have desks, so not used.
21. Bookcase full of videos, DVDs, computer games. Bought in 2003.
22. Nest of three occasional tables, bought second hand from charity shop.
23. Two standard lamps, bronze coloured.
24. Chest, on which stands
25. Cockateil cage, complete with cockateil.
26. Cream carpet, left by previous owners.
27. Beige curtains bought about 3 years ago.
28. Lampshade, bought in 2003, starting to look discoloured.
29. Television.
I like all this. Maybe slightly shabby, but comfy and it would be relaxing, if it weren't overlaid with clutter. Of which more, later.
Monday, 4 July 2011
Porch
Porch. Measures 7ft 2in x 3ft 3in, including meter cupboard.
Contents of porch.
5. Venetian blind - left by previous owners.
6. Doormat - left by previous owners.
7. Coat hooks - bought by me, about 7 years ago.
8. Mirror - bought over 10 years ago. I love mirrors.
9. Barometer. Wedding present 22 years ago. We were given two barometers, so this one is entirely superfluous.
10. Oil painting of winter scene. Competition prize years ago. It's ok, but I wouldn't have chosen it.
10. Cactus belonging to daughter. Nasty scratchy thing. Would love to get rid of it. In a blue pot, which I like.
11. Christmas cactus in cream colour pot.
12. Aloe Vera plant in blue Fair Trade pot with elephant on it. Love this pot.
13. Blue glass pot (bought by son at jumble sale) with vanilla scent.
14. Light blue glass Yankee candle-holder, currently with strawberry vanilla Yankee Candle.
15. Tiffany style lightshade. Love this.
and, at the moment, two pairs of muddy boots, two pairs of trainers, on floor, and several coats on coat hooks.
Contents of porch.
5. Venetian blind - left by previous owners.
6. Doormat - left by previous owners.
7. Coat hooks - bought by me, about 7 years ago.
8. Mirror - bought over 10 years ago. I love mirrors.
9. Barometer. Wedding present 22 years ago. We were given two barometers, so this one is entirely superfluous.
10. Oil painting of winter scene. Competition prize years ago. It's ok, but I wouldn't have chosen it.
10. Cactus belonging to daughter. Nasty scratchy thing. Would love to get rid of it. In a blue pot, which I like.
11. Christmas cactus in cream colour pot.
12. Aloe Vera plant in blue Fair Trade pot with elephant on it. Love this pot.
13. Blue glass pot (bought by son at jumble sale) with vanilla scent.
14. Light blue glass Yankee candle-holder, currently with strawberry vanilla Yankee Candle.
15. Tiffany style lightshade. Love this.
and, at the moment, two pairs of muddy boots, two pairs of trainers, on floor, and several coats on coat hooks.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Front door step
1-3. Set of ceramic pots, curently containing two geraniums and a salvia. Bought in garden centre several years ago.
4. Green plastic planter, currently containing a purple petunia and a mystery plant. Bought in garden centre two years ago.
This is fine as it is. Total value probably only about £5.00.
4. Green plastic planter, currently containing a purple petunia and a mystery plant. Bought in garden centre two years ago.
This is fine as it is. Total value probably only about £5.00.
Starting Out
I've two interests in starting this blog. Firstly, I spend far too much time shifting clutter around and it's adversely affecting my life.
Secondly, I find old objects in museums fascinating, and think a list of what-I-have-now is as good a snapshot of life in 2011 as any.
Secondly, I find old objects in museums fascinating, and think a list of what-I-have-now is as good a snapshot of life in 2011 as any.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)