It was the night before work

And all through the house, everyone was stirring, but thankfully - no mouse. 

It's universal, right? 

On the eve of  your holidays being done and dusted, there's an anxiety about the year ahead. 

Who wouldn't love to run off to Majorca and spend their days swimming laps at their leisure, keeping up to date with best-selling books, and with the only problem in life being a tan line. 

GAH! 

I have had such beautiful, long, lazy weeks at home since Christmas. Nothing too decadent. Instead I've been making piles of stuff around the house:

- charity
- hand-me-downs
- garbage
- tidy away
- craft drawer

It might not look like it, but I have spent many hours sorting through stuff. Trying not to be sentimental. I've been ruthless with artworks, but kids clothes and books is what I find difficult. I am attached to my children's old clothes and books. 

It's ridiculous I know. I try and just keep a couple of bits, but it's hard. I don't know how to do better. 

Anyway, hi ho, hi ho, back to work I go - tomorrow, so game over with my tidy town. But in the meantime, if you've got any ruthless, low-down, dirty tactics I can apply to my downsizing attempt at decluttering - I am all ears (and my husband will thank you!).

How can I do better? 

The Big News

Hold your horses. I have big, BIG news.

Not only did we recently purchase a new fridge - but today I bought a new washing machine. I know. Hold the presses. I have gone whitegoods mad.

But that's not the big news.

Nope.

You know how I have been decluttering? Well. I have. My Mum, my awesome, awesome Mum came down for the weekend to help me - and I've been listing stuff on eBay.

As a result, I listed my Olivetti typewriter (remember that post), and sold it last night.

Stop what you're doing. The drinks are on me. It went for $5.50.

I know. Right? Totes loaded.

It is for this reason I will be doing a sponsored post. Gotz to pay my bills ladies. I hate bills. Even worse, I hate not being able to pay bills. I knew you'd understand. MWAH!

image of flying fish from I'm Just a Bee

De-Gluttoning

I have exciting things planned this year people. Exciting things. I read my friend, Carrie's piece about decluttering that was in Health Smart . It has given me even more impetus to live more simply. Live with less. And I love that idea.

So far I've been going through baby clothes and being ruthless. I've gone through our crockery - and have boxed up some pieces that give me the creeps and I don't use. I've started on the toys. I'm filing like it's nobody's business.

Watch out people, I'm paring back. I'm getting organised. 2011 is going to be the year of declutter. De-lovely. Delightful!

Image via Apartment Therapy - check out this piece on organising drawers. I need all the help I can get.

Back In The Habit:: Day One

It's day one of Back In The Habit. Are you playing? Would you like to play? If so, let me know so I can add your blog to the blog roll (see over there ---> Back In The Habit: Cast and Crew). And grab your button while you're at it!

My habits I am heading for over the next 21 days:

- teeth flossing (totally unglamorous, but I'm back in the saddle)

- drinking more water

- exercising more frequently

- editing my house (I must donate to charity 21 pieces in 21 days - can I do it, or will the hoarding beast within stick its claws in)

- at least one hour of housework a day

Gosh my life is exciting.

I've already loaded two small ramekins to be given to charity. I am in the throes of housework.. Le sigh. Teeth flossing scheduled for tonight. Water in progress.. It's just so cold. Exercise.. Hmmm. I am wild. I am crazy like a fox.

How are you going with your habit forming?

Doing An Oprah

Once upon a time in a galaxy, far, far away I read that Oprah put all her kitchen utensils in a box. Ground breaking I know. Oprah has a box? Who woulda thunk it?

Well it gets better.

Over the next month, when she was cooking (she cooks!) whatever utensil, tool, gadget etc that she used, it got put back into the drawer.

If, by the end of the month, certain utensils weren't used, they were given away to an op shop.

Sounds good. Yes?

What's good enough for Oprah is good enough for me. She hasn't married Stedman. Neither have I. She has her own talk show. I sometimes like watching it (preferably when they're doing makeovers). She appears on the cover of her own magazine. And so could I if I was rolling in money and had my own magazine. Well if it's good enough for Oprah, it's good enough for me. Will you join me in evicting errant cutlery and utensils cluttering up your drawers? Let's face it friends, I am kerrrr-azy.

image via (clearly not mine, I'm not that organised... or bored)

I May Have Done Something Really, Really (Exceptionally) Stupid. Thoughts?

Tiny and I went for a quick op-shop this morning. In fact, we didn't just go to shop, we went to deliver goods. First off we were greeted by the rudest woman alive. With babe in arms, I was struggling with a large box of glassware etc under the other arm. She instructed me to put it on the floor. Without forcing Tiny into some mad sort of contortion, I declared that I couldn't physically do it - you try it, it's not easy unless you've been doing some sort of exercise (me - nil - youch). Then I asked (very nicely mind you) if she'd mind if we came in the back door rather than pounce right around the front of the shop. We had just made two trips backwards and forwards from our car that was parked about 50 metres away, juggling all sorts on our return trip on the pram and in my arms. No mean feat. So it was easier if I just came in the back way, with me?

"I don't think your pram will fit."

"Oh righto, I'll just leave it out here then."

"You know, I'd prefer if you didn't leave it out here, I'll get in trouble." (From who, the pram police?!)

"Right, ok, well I'll give it a shot."

---> Rudest lady alive just watches me pull the pram in.

"Thanks very much for your help."

So I do the rounds. Find a few things. Put a few things back. Struggle to get some soft toys from Tiny's grip (because, you know, I struggle with secondhand soft toys, all that saliva and oddments of old food - eek). Just after I had paid, I spy a ginormous chocolate box. Vintage. Bigger than a shoebox. I read a small label on it:

Contains embroidered linen & doilies - the lot for $50.

Work with me here people. My heart is ga-goong, ga-goong (BTW - did you know that Jennifer Grey had a nose job and subsequently vamoosed her career?). I went through the lot totally beautiful. Incredible. Clearly a woman's life work. Amazing. So many gorgeous pieces, tatting, embroidery, oh wow. And then I left it there.

You see, I'm trying to spend less, save my clams, declutter, and stop buying things that I really have no need for.

But now I can't stop thinking about all that beauty just sitting there.

Back To School: Sewing Class - Second Session - Week 1

So it is dear reader, I'm heading back to sewing lessons tonight with a vision. I may not be Karl, but damn fool, I'm going to get this top I started last year happening so I can at least wear it in the intended season. Summer. And if that fails, then I'll just stitch up some more pyjama pants - because you know how I love to stitch those babies up, even if I do have a wild tendency to stitch the legs up. Problem? The Doctor hasn't even worn the top once!

Did I mention I found a sewing machine on the side of the road? No? Well I did - on Tiny's birthday. I just am a little scared to rev it up. Just hold tight. Ok, coming to you live - I just tried her out. Sewing is dangerous, isn't it? She started up, then flick - the needle broke off and hit me in the forehead. YOUCH! It hurt. I told you it was dangerous. Next time I may have to wear goggles in class of flying needles.

While I have you, I've done a wee bit of tidying here at PMM HQ. I have updated my link list, and am updating my playlist, and you'll notice a few more changes around here soon. I did change the background to a buttery yellow - for all of two minutes - before I went back to white. White's tight, right? I was meant to update yonks ago, but didn't get to it, so I figure if I take the same approach I do to decluttering our home, it will eventually happen. You'll still feel at home dear reader!

De Clutter Bug

fairly unrelated photo - though a pretty spider's web is the ultimate in organised homes, isn't it? can you spot it amidst the greenery?

Still. Decluttering. While doing so, I've come across a lot of 'samples' of products that I work with.

I was over at Leni & Rose and she's been madly decluttering too. So inspired by her clean out, that I've now loaded my next load for the op shop. I've posted off some things I have been meaning to post for a couple of weeks, and my house is starting to look a little more normal. Less bric a brac, more home. Otherwise I am teetering on the verge of setting up my own museum, I'll be charging an entry fee to the Doctor's room - and Tiny's. They house the largest collections of pre-loved finds (see The Bin entries if you don't know what I'm rabbitting on about).

Anyway - some of these samples include child safety products (a reputable brand in case you're worried). If you live in Australia and your home needs safety proofing, please email me or leave a comment and I'll randomly select someone to send the products to. In doing so, you're doing me a favour - huuuuge favour.

Who knew decluttering could lead to so many giveaways?

Fridge Buyback

I am still madly decluttering and trying to break the ring of silverfish that have taken up residence at our place (they're like some creepy style of squatter, except I keep finding them EVERYWHERE and yowsers, they are huuuuge).

Part of this declutter was our fridge. Our fridge (which was given to us) kept freezing everything. My most memorable frozen thing was getting out a fresh container of tabouli that I had made, and was so excited to eat for lunch - to find it was frozen. I ate it anyway, but it was more like parsley sorbet - not so crash hot.

It froze everything. Frozen watermelon - not good. Frozen capsicums - not good. Frozen cheese - not so good. Frozen artichokes - not so good. I shan't go on.

We've switched fridges to a younger model. Perhaps we're having a mid-life crisis of sorts. Hopefully this one is not hell-bent on freezing everything.

And this is where it gets really exciting (as if it wasn't exciting enough - come on, you know it was!). If you've got a spare fridge and want to get rid of it - click here (for Sydney-ites only) to learn about the Fridge Buyback!

The fridges are taken away (if they fit the criteria) and the metals recycled - and you get $35 and a reduced electricity bill (and less greenhouse gases is the best bit yet!).

Would You Like This?

I'm clearing out my house. It's a sort of liquidation sale, except I'm not liquidating, I'm just getting rid of stuff.

If you live in Sydney, you're willing to pick this basket up, and you want it - let me know, it's yours.

It's one of the bin finds. I was holding onto it for my sister, as I kind of think it's a little creepy. But don't let that stop you. It's cute. From a distance. The only thing I find creepy is that it's those fake plastic flowers that people sometimes put on graves. Anyway. You might like it. It is cute. It's definitely vintage. And if you want it. It's most definitely yours.

Progress Report: Not To Be Sneezed At

Dear Diary,

So I continued on with my wonky little project to hand.

Dear Diary, I had to intermittently take breaks because for some unknown reason, I felt a lot of pressure with this stitchery.. I'm worried she'll think it's too wonky.

But besides some little hearts I want to add - and I mean little as in teeny tiny, I think it's done. Cute? Quaint? Will my friend know how I love her so?

What do you think Diary?

I'm starting another, and I hope to be a little more lucid with this one. I'm thinking of letting go of the uptight me, the one that's worrying, and just go forth and create. I hope this works dear Diary, because otherwise I may have to take stress leave from my embroidery.

Pimp Stitch always has some awesome ideas. Inspirations. Colours. Ideas.. Ahh I can tap that.

In other reports, I have three things that I am sending to Pip. In exchange, she's sending me three things. I hope she likes the three things I have carefully selected for her. I'm doing well with my decluttering. I've already taken two big boxes to the op shop, with plans for more next week. Monday - Post Office.

Anyway diary, I'm feeling weary. Must go brush my hair one hundred times, repaint my fingernails, apply my fake tan with one hand and stare longingly at my Rick Astley posters. A busy day.

xxx

A Giveaway-way-way: Step One On The Road To Recovery - Declutter

Look at me - my resolutions are flying in the wind like a flag. Am I a trailblazer of sorts? I don't even do resolutions. But here I am decluttering. I've already taken four boxes to the op shop. Go me! Truth be, this giveaway has been a long time in the making. There are a lot of things around my house that I think, hmm, that's not quite me, but you know I think Miss X might dig it. So here it is. My little pre-PottyMouthMama One Year Birthday.

Pip at Meet Me At Mikes kicked me off. I'm sending her some things. She's sending me some things. Together we're kicking a declutter of sorts. Dig it?

But this one, this one is for you dear reader. If you tell me the silliest thing you've hoarded, I'll tell you mine.

Oh darn it, I can't wait that long, I'll tell you one thing right now.

I kept a whole heap of dresses that I wore when I was 15/16, 'just in case' they came back in again. Thankfully my flatmate at the time held an intervention and forced me to throw them in the charity bin when I was 23. They were NEVER coming in again. I find it hard to get rid of fashion. Particularly my vintage loves. But you know, some things have to fly.

So tell me, wherever you are in the world, one of the silliest things you've hoarded ever. Entries close in around a week's time when I remember. Deal?

PS - the above is a selection of things.. but not truly indicative of what the winner will take. But I promise you, I will make it good!