Seven Things Week 16

Wow, going away for work for a couple of days really puts a dent in this.  That and I forgot some of last week's ins.

IN

• 2 metal bowls to use as double boilers for melting and purifying beeswax.  TOF has a heap of beeswax from candlemaking, so I'm going to make some handcream, leather conditioner etc. The price of new double boilers is extreme, particularly as I will only be able to use it for the beeswax, so this seemed like a really good improvisation $2 TIP SHOP
• 1 Tupperware container (TOF can't help himself  when it's in good knick and a bargain at $2.50 from the OP SHOP)
• 2 thermals for TOF RETAIL SALE
• 1 pr shorts for TOF RETAIL SALE
• 1 Tupperware Rice cooker NEW (for the caravan)
• 1 piece pantry Tupperware  NEW (TOF's breaking in a new Tupperware distrubutor so we place a small order to compensate for all the replacements we get)
• 1 sheet $2 SALVOS
• 1 pr shoes for TOF $3 SALVOS
• 1 popcorn maker (for coffee bean roasting - based on experience these will break regularly.  We're buying them as we fin them second hand) $5 REVOLVE
• 1 set sock needles.  Sydney business trip souvenir. MORRIS & SONS

OUT

• 1 bowl - dropped and smashed - BIN
• 1 glass - dropped and cracked - BIN
• 9 mismatched socks and gloves (that's all TOF would let me get rid of at his house.  I need to work on this resistance) - BIN

SIAA
so close, but nothing finished this week - see going away for work excuse

IN 12

OUT 11

NETT OUT -1

TOF and I sampled the delights of Queanbeyan's four op-shops today.  All but the big Salvos Family Store had half price sales.

Little Salvos had half price on everything; Vinnies, half price on most stuff and Bargain Hunter, half price on summer clothing.

We didn't buy as much as you might expect.

A pair of brogues for TOF and a vintage cotton sheet which may or may not become blouses and/or a skirt next summer.

Still for $5 the lot from the little Salvos, we were happy.
 
Originally posted to I Op Therefore I am ACT.

Seven Things Week 15

Freecycle could be my undoing.  When someone offered a popcorn maker this week, it was on the proviso we take all the other kitchen stuff they'd decluttered as well.

It was difficult sorting through two large boxes of assorted paraphernalia, much of it new, and getting rid of it.  It was nice stuff and it was free!  However, we were pretty strong.  Some of the mugs are going into work so there is a nice matching set for guests, we've earmarked some items for friends who would like at least first refusal, some we binned and some will make it back to Freecycle and then to the op shop if no one wants them.

We ended up keeping a tea infuser (I have a lot of leaf tea and I can use the infuser for single cups, which is what I make at work so it's really a way of using things up), a pudding basin just because it's a nice thick china, a teatowel because it's a perfectly fine teatowel  and, of course, the popcorn maker.

We buy green coffee beans through Coffee Snobs and TOF has killed a few popcorn makers roasting beans. 


IN

• 3 lamb fleeces GIFT
• 1 rain jacket.  TOF got it for me for $1 with the intention of leaving it in NZ later in the year.  We're setting aside clothing for NZ with the intention of leaving it in an Auckland op shop so we have space for fibrey souvenirs.  The wine and Whittakers chocolate will come back on my hips. GIFT
• 1 jam funnel $15.90 NEW, RETAIL but not the $38 one local shop is asking.  Anyone wanting a stainless steel jam funnel o' bliss go to Butts 'n Brew at Kaleen shops
• 1 dinner set - TOF's china pattern, a partial setting for 4 (missing two tea cups and saucers) $20 at Vinnies
• 2 pieces fabric.  $11 Vinnies
• 1 knife.  Note to self.  Get a footy kit together and put it in one place.  We had to buy a small knife to cut up our cooked chook at the footy.  $7
• 1 tea towel FREECYCLE
• 1 pudding basin FREECYCLE
• 1 tea infuser FREECYCLE
• 1 popcorn maker to use for coffee bean roasting.  FREECYCLE

OUT

• 20 old jumpers (from the unravelling and felting stash) GIFTS and DONATIONS
• 4 bead containers GIFT
• 16 stencils GIFT
• 8 bags sequins GIFT
• 1 bag beads GIFT
• 1 Tupperware container DONATION

SIAA
another pair of hand-knitted sports socks - but this time in hot pink!

IN 13

OUT 50

NETT OUT 37

SIAA 1

Seven Things Week 14

Work is back into full swing and full on.  While I have fewer temptations, there is also less time for de-cluttering.   I'm not home until 7.30pm at the earliest after work and a couple hours of dealing with Mum's needs.  Motivation to do even more work can be low when I've been hard at it for 12 hours by then.

I'm countering the temptation to sit on the couch with a cuppa and my knitting by building in decluttering with normal activity.  It's slower than but ultimately more sustanable than the "must clear this room tonight" method.

So putting the folding away means removing everything from one shelf or drawer, appraising and following through.   I only have to do one container (draw, box, shelf) a night and there is always a cardboard box by the front door ready to receive the outs. 

Realistically this means 4 nights a week at the most and most weeks only three nights, but it all adds to up.

This week the camisole and singlet drawer got the treatment, as did the sewing patterns, a box of jars, bottles and vases from under the house and what I optimistically call my "going out"clothes.

IN

• 1 camel pack (actually last week, but I forgot) $3 GARAGE SALE
• 1 nightie - GIFT
• 1 jumper - GIFT (for unravelling and knitting into socks)
• 2 shirts for TOF $5 OP SHOP
• 2 tv series on DVD $2 OP SHOP
• 1 wheat pack $4 OP SHOP
• 1 cage to protect veggies from possums and my dogs FREECYCLE
• 1 belt sander GIFT FOR TOF

OUT

• 2 huge bound volumes of the Sydney Morning Herald (1856 an 1861).  These were a gift from an aunt about 30 years ago.  They lived under my childhood bed.  This week the perfect recipient for something that was really a burden turned up.  So tempting to count every issue out - GIFT
• 2 dinner sets - OP SHOP
• 22 decorative jars OP SHOP
• 2 Tupperware containers GIFTS
• 1 top - body-hugging green stretch satin, never worn in 18 months (wonder why?!) - OP SHOP
• 1 tapestry frame - OP SHOP
• 4 old software installation CDs and associated manuals - BIN
• 16 balls yarn - OP SHOP
• 19 sewing patterns - OP SHOP
• 13 singlet tops, singlets and camis - OP SHOP
• 1 framed print - OP SHOP
• 3 books - LIFELINE

SIAA

• 1 pr handknitted sports socks (again)

IN 10

OUT 86

NETT OUT 76

SIAA   1

White Elephant

This postcard from the Te Papa Museum of New Zealand Picture Library was a gift from The Shopping Sherpa on her last visit home.

It's from the early 1940s and is by Alex McLaren of Canada.  Most likely it is fiscal restraint propaganda from World War II.

Perfect.

Seven Things Week 13

Back at my place for a few nights this week as we're back at work, I've resumed caring duties for Mum and Junior is back at tech.

Yarn destash is at a difficult stage.  Firstly, it is hard to let go of stash.  Really hard.  Secondly, I've lost momentum from not living with it for 5 weeks, and thirdly, I've overloaded my usual recipients of stash. By that I mean people who respect the yarn and whom I trust to do the right thing by it.

To aid the decision making process I dragged several large plastic bins (120 litre bins) from the yarn cellar and left them where they had to be negotiated when I moved almost anywhere in the house.  Boxes were opened and closed; opened, partially examined and closed; opened, fully exhumed and closed; and finally opened and decanted into bags and boxes and loaded into the car.

I considered Ravelry destash but couldn't face it hanging around once the decision was made and the thought of having to deal with people over it made me want to cry, so this week I took yarn to the op shop.

I have not completely abandoned stash.  As I have found from previous attempts to cull the herd; stash has its own level, resents vicious pruning and has it's own way of getting back at me if I disrespect it.  To reassure it that I mean only to rid myself of that which would languish underappreciated and unknit, I have bought (on destash), bamboo blend sock yarn for ToF.

IN

• 1 ball sock yarn (more bamboo blend for TOF) RAVELRY DESTASH
• 1 pr boots for TOF (bnwt) replacing the outs from last week $17 OP SHOP
• 1 Rock 'n Serve $8 OP SHOP  a bit pricey but cheaper than new and ALL of ours are currently in use
• 1 book $3 OP SHOP.  TOF is trying out Iain Banks.
• 2 Brumbies members caps FREE WITH MEMBERSHIP
• 1 cheese knife. $4 OP SHOP
• 1 pr shorts - GIFT
• 2 calendars - GIFTS
• 2 bookmarks - GIFTS

OUT

• 1 pr trousers - fiddly and highly crushable.  I've worn them once this summer, gone to wear them twice and replaced them with something simpler.  OP SHOP
• 1 bookmark - GIFT
• 1 magazine - GIFT
• 51 items of baby clothes that have been hanging around for months - finally off to women's shelter. DONATION
• 1 drinking glass, smashed in the sink :( BIN
• 2 cd racks - OP SHOP
• 272 balls yarn DONATION AND GIFTS

SIAA
Nothing completed this week.

IN   12

OUT 329

NETT OUT 317

SIAA 0

This Challenge is a, well, challenging

This only buying 12 items of clothing in a year is not an easy challenge.  It's building a new habit, while breaking a very old, ingrained and much loved one.

Although the challenge has positive intent it does have the side effect denying the pleasure of immediate gratification.  The challenge is about less rather than more.

How do I keep motivated and show results?  While the seven things challenge is partially about reduction, there is a cumulative total that helps measure progress.  It is the external indicator of inward progress.

Enter the "savings" jar.  Each time I overcome the temptation to buy clothing which pre-challenge would have come home, the value of the item goes into a jar.  This creates a visual reminder of progress and ensures there will be cash on hand when the perfect garment appears or to pay for repairs I can't make myself or buy materials to transform already owned garments (there are some tops and shoes which need dying).

The money for the three items I only just resisted in January has been thrown in

• some Very Silly shoes. $7
• a black top in a favoured brand but which had a couple of buttons missing and some signs of wear. $5
• an evening frock, BNWT which fitted beautifully and was tempting to have as a standby for the wedding in April as cool weather option.  Despite the great fit the colour was not quite right and could not be dyed so after much debate I left it. $17

When I say these were only just resisted I mean cheating was considered.  Apart from the evening frock, no-one would have been any the wiser if I chose to purchase and not disclose.

12 into 11 - January Update

I opted into Louisa's challenge of only buying 12 clothing items in 2011.  That makes it roughly one item a month.  Given that I'm already de-cluttering, it seemed a reasonable and possibly aspirational thing to say yes to.

I had already purchased a dress to wear to a family wedding in April.  So that was the January allowance used up.

I've not stopped looking in op-shops; that would be cowardice, but knowing I can only have 12 things in the year has made me look at the racks differently.

If I'm spending one of my precious items, do I really want it to be a cheap, worn t-shirt or really cute ridiculously high-heeled shoes that would be worn once and relegated to the back of the cupboard and eventually an "outs" bag? The answer is invariably "no", although it was a close run thing with those Very Silly Shoes.

I'm also anticipating purchases. Five Ferns is looking for a down-filled jacket for me (can't get one in my size in Australia), as well as some exempt thermals, and there will inevitably be a t-shirt or jersey purchase as a souvenir of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. So really I only have 9 items left for the next 11 months.

Except that I only have 8.  We found two Australian representative grid-iron shirts at the Salvos on half price ($3.50 each).  They are perfect to wear to the Australia v Italy World Cup match in September (over the top of our warm clothes).  They are unneccessary and frivolous and yet absolutely essential.  I was unable to resist.

In January I bought/received/made the following exempt items.

• a divine hand-knitted cashmere shawl which will go with the dress, so wedding outfit sorted which was a gift from a clever and lovely friend
• 2 long sleeved t-shirts and a hoodie from Mum as part of her wardrobe clean out
• 1 hat for protection of fair skin in great outdoors, gift from Tip Shop
• 1 hat for the footy.  It's a Brumbies bucket hat - I loathe baseball style caps on my head, and won't wear the one that comes with our membership if I can help it.  Gift from TOF
• 1 oversized men's shirt, gift from my brother to be remodelled.
• 1 pr sports shoes (brand new without tags from op-shop for $8.  I priced them in a sports shop, originally $120)
• 1 pr swimmers (brand new without tags from op-shop for $8.  I also priced these - $90)
• 3 prs hand knitted sports socks.  (A) underwear is exempt (2) handmade is exempt.  Do I get bonus points for hand-making an already exempt item?

I did debate including the swimmers in my 12 but decided they were exempt because they are (kinda) underwear and definitely fit into the safety clothing category - safety for everyone else in the pool, really.  ToF and I do an aqua fitness class once a week, and the tankini rides up and is not much fun when doing strenuous if supported exercise.  The new cossie is much more suitable for actually moving in.

ANNUAL ALLOCATION 12

TOTAL USED  2

ITEMS LEFT 10

Seven Things Week 12

More feeding the freezer and pantry shelves cooking this week but I managed to squeeze in some op-shopping time.

I also picked up new glasses this week, but decided not to bother with the ins and outs of them.  How ridiculous is it that it is cheaper to buy new than to get new lenses put in old frames?  Ditto, that it's more expensive to repair boots than buy a new pair.

A few more ins than strictly necessary this week, but it's back to work tomorrow so my op-shopping time will be limited.  I'll also be living back at my place during the week, so expect more culling to happen.  The front room is chokka with yarn looking for a new home, so I'll address that tomorrow and Wednesday.

IN

• 2 pieces fabric (4m navy cotton lycra for tights and 4m burgundy silk for undies, $5 and $3 respectively) OP SHOP
• 2 shirts (one each) $3.50 ea OP SHOP
• 1 footy jersey for TOF OP SHOP
• 2 leather backpacks (my handbag of choice) $2 each GARAGE SALE
• 2 DVDs for TOF $3 each TIP SHOP
• 1 stainless steel square cake tin found by side of road (I kid you not - made TOF let me out at the traffic lights to get it) free
• 1 ball sock yarn.  ToF has discovere the joys of bamboo socks.  As the man with the sweatiest feet in Christendom he only ever wears woollen socks.  Now he also wears bamboo.  Guess which sock yarn I don't have in stash?  Have another ball coming. $8 RAVELRY DESTASH

OUT

• 1 pr TOF's boots.  They could be repaired, but it would cost more than buying a new pair and they were dangerous to wear.  BIN
• 1 saucepan - I burnt it senseless in a cherry sauce accident and it's beyond redemption METAL RECYCLING
• 1 cat scratching post BIN
• 2 fry pans - scratched and awful teflon METAL RECYLING
• 60 balls yarn - GIFT

SIAA
1 pr hand-knitted athletic socks

IN 11

OUT 65

NETT OUT 54

SIAA 1

Under Pressure

When I get gifts of cash I try to use it for something that is substantial and an investment in our future frugality.

The 2009 Christmas cash went towards buying our Fowlers Vacola preserving kit.  We love the Fowlers kit.  We've bottled lots of fruit and add to our bottle collection as we find them at op-shops and garage sales. 

At one garage sale (where we bought a second kit and lots of jars) we heard about pressure canning.

The water bath preserving method as used by the Fowlers Vacola kit, is great for things like fruit, but for low acid and protein foods, pressure canning is the way to go. 

So with my last birthday cash, we bought a Presto Pressure Canner via Amazon (for nearly half the price of buying one locally, including postage) and have spent a good deal of January canning soups, curries and casseroles.

With our combined food intolerances, we can shelf store our own dairy free, gluten free meals made from seasonal produce with no additives. It frees up freezer real estate, ensures portion control, and there are no excuses to get a takeaway when fast food is sitting on the shelf.  We see it as a win all round for a fairly small investment.

The canner will take ordinary glass jars with screw top lids.  We can re-use jars from store bought goods, although it is recommended we buy new lids.  We are using a mix of Fowlers jars because we have quite a few and because they make uniform canning and storage easier and larger screw top jars, which are really too big for jam etc.

A Fowlers size 27 bottle contains a smidge more than 3 metric cups of liquid.  This equates to two servings.  So far we've made about 200 servings of soup, curry, casserole and ragu.

In a jam - again

Blackberries, this time, and with added bonus and no swimming.

Seven Things Week 11

The last couple of weeks has been all about cooking summer surplus into winter meals and stocking the freezers with gluten and dairy free bread, rolls and pizza bases.  No real time for reflection on the nature of consumerism in general, or mine in particular.

I was sad to take things to the tip for land fill, though.  There may have been other uses for the 30 year old three-quarter sized mattress etc, but they were beyond me.

In

• 1 mattress - gift for the bed in the caravan
• 1 spinning wheel bobbin.  Too big for my wheels but it's beautifully burnished with age and will make a wonderful candle holder - tip shop
• 1 Akubra hat - free tip shop
• 1 shirt - gift from my brother.  It's too big for him and he was going to give it to Vinnies anyway.  Putting aside as remodelling project in Feb.
• 2 prs trakkie daks, TOF - Op Shop
• 2 shirts, TOF 1 new, 1 near new, Op Shop
• 1 jacket, TOF Op Shop
• 1 Brumbies bucket hat, all clothing from op shops.  I am particularly pleased with this hat.  I loathe the baseball style caps that come with our annual memberships and have coveted the bucket hat but been unable to justify $25 or so for it.  TOF picked this up for me at the Salvos store for $3.  Just as well, the club isn't selling them this year.
• 1 ceramic reusable tea mug with silicon top $5 from YMCA shop.  Exactly the same price as in the shopping centre chain shops but it was new and the money went to the Y. 
• 1 knitting magazine - Interweave in newsagents now.
• 1 Tupperware lunch box, new from op shop $6

Out

• 1 ironing board, broken LAND FILL
• 1 mattress - the old one from the caravan - cost us $15 to take it and other hard rubbish to tip - LAND FILL
• 1 bed head - LAND FILL
• 1 plastic (and non-recyclable) chair base - LAND FILL
• 143 balls yarn - GIFTS
• 1 pr jeans, too big and despite the preference of someone in this house for fally-down trousers, they were driving me mad - OP SHOP
• 2 books.  Actually read two books this year.  Amazing what being on holidays will do for letting fiction back into my life - OP SHOP

SIAA
1 pr socks (yep, another pair.  Get used to it, I've got a lot of this yarn)

IN   13

OUT 150

NETT OUT 137

SIAA     1

Pegged

A whole new level of thrift, Chez TOF.

Seven Things Week 10

IN

• 1 high visability vest for TOF $7 Vinnies
• 1 pr swimmers(bnw/ot) $8 Vinnies
• 1 pr shorts for TOF (bnwt) $2.50 Salvos
• 1 pr shoes for TOF
• 1 DVD set.  Season 2 of The Cook and the Chef.  $14.95 at the Post Office.  An impulse buy but nearly as cheap as my late fines on the library copy.
• 1 Frankie magazine 25c Vinnies

OUT

• 1 magazine - RECYCLING at the cricket.
• 1 magazine - GIFT
• 1 Filofax cover - GIFT
• 1 book - GIFT
• 140 balls yarn - DONATIONS/GIFTS to colleague's granddaughter's school's knitting club and fellow knitters
• 1 baking tin - GIFT
• 87 lids for Fowlers' jars.  Note to self - only buy the stainless steel.  The other ones rust in seconds.  - RECYCLING
• 1 pr jeans - OP SHOP

SIAA

• mended 1 pr trakkie daks.  No need to chuck 'em out, just replace the elastic.
• 1 pr socks for me.  Actually needed.

IN     6

OUT 233

NETT OUT 227

SIAA     2

Sporty

Wee atheltic socks made from Bendigo Harmony a pattern of my own devising.

These in response to a desperate need for sports socks.  I know I can buy 3 prs for $1.80 at Rivers, but they are crap. 

Good things about these socks:

• soft, squishy, comfy and should be longer wearing that the Made in China rubbish
• I can get 5 socks from a 200g ball of Harmony.  I'll be looking for Harmony or Heirloom Breeze scraps soon, I reckon, to make a stripy scrappy pair.
• they use stash
• they are really quick to knit.
• while they stretch out worryingly on the foot, the wool and lycra content mean they spring back into shape when washed.
• they machine wash in cool water

Mk II already on the needles.  This time I'm including knitting-in-elastic for the ankle ribbing and shortening the heel flap a tad.

Seven Things Week 9

Oh dear heaven!

Finally got to Mum's this week.  I was meant to be clearing out under the house storage, but she hijacked me into going through her wardrobes, linen cupboard and craft stash first.  I made a start under the house, but it's going to be a longer job than anticipated.  None of the stuff from Mum's is being counted.  If I stop to enumerate, it will never get done.

I've lost count of the trips to the op-shop.  Fortunately the paper recycling centre is located between the two closest op-shops and each trip to Vinnies or Salvos was followed by a trip to the recycling centre to pick up more boxes.

Mum's cupboards are now neat, tidy and adequate to her needs.  They are not minimal, however, so I can stop buying her clothes for a wee while.  Also, when the time comes to move her, I have a good understanding of what is there.

On one of the op-shop runs I met a woman who is a member of a group that sews and knits for charity. I've dropped off a lot of the sewing fabric and yarns to her.  I've been the recipient of much lovely yarn to knit for charity and Mum and I've been slowing working our way through it.  But now that Mum can't knit and my time is even more limited it's only right to pass it on when I can.  More will go out when I get the chance to really go through my stash.  All that's gone is the easily accessed top layers.  Also, TOF's Dad will be getting a couple of new jumpers out of stash.  Two lots of lovely 8 ply went to TOF's Mum.

Other yarn has gone to the Happy Spider for her school knitting program.  I'm always keen to support new knitters.  Also we all know how great knitting is for soothing the spirit and what more restless spirits are there than teenagers?

IN

• 1 shirt for TOF free from Tip Shop
• 1 pr trousers for TOF - $7 Vinnies
• 1 pr shoes for TOF - GIFT
• 1 Tupperware pet dish $3 from Vinnies
• 2 Tupperware champagne flutes $1 from Salvos
• 2 knitting patterns $1 from Tip Shop
• 1 dress to wear to a wedding, Vinnies $10.50
• 2 knitting magazines (Yarn and Yarn Forward)
• 1 pr sports shoes - new and never worn $8 YMCA op-shop
• 2 balls sock yarn - GIFT
• 1 shawl which goes beautifully with the dress for the wedding - GIFT
• 1 DVD. TOF got series one of Ghost in the Shell for $5.  He's a very happy man just now.
• 2 Tupperware Rock 'n Serves in TOF's favourite style.  They have broken lids which will be replaced at the next party we go to. Vinnies $2
• 2 prs shoes - TOF
• 1 pr shorts - TOF

OUT

• 4 magazines - GIFT
• 8 board games - OP SHOP
• 1 lamp shade - OP SHOP
• 19 sheets - OP SHOP
• 2 doona covers - OP SHOP
• 4 pillowcases - OP SHOP
• 8 lengths dress fabric - GIFT
• 1 pr tongs - OP SHOP
• 1 balloon whisk - OP SHOP
• 340 balls yarn (whole balls only counted, not partials) - GIFTS
• 12 promotional drink bottles - RECYCLING
• 1 pr curtains - OP SHOP

SIAA

• 1 knitted shawlette/scarf - yep, another one
• 1 knitted beret

IN   21

OUT 401

NETT OUT 380

SIAA    2

Raw

I finally got under Mum's house today to start clearing away Dad's workshop and 45 years of family life.

I've made two trips to Tiny's Green Shed, the re-use facility at Mugga Way tip, the car dangerously loaded.

Dad's trained as an electrician in the Air Force.  He was also a keen gardener and adaptive re-user before it was trendy.  It was how he and we grew up.  His workshop is full of tools and boxes upon boxes of useful things, or things that might be useful one day.  He spent a lot of time fixing things and creating things under the house. Mum can't go in, she keeps seeing him at the bench.  I know what she means.  He is very present in that place.

It is really hard to dismantle that.

My brother has been slowy removing Dad's tools.  As he needs something, he removes it and doesn't return it.  My brother, although he lives next door and is currently on leave, is keeping well clear while I deal with the other stuff. 

When Dad died, I was the strong one.  One of us had to do the organising and holding it together.  I didn't do a very good job of holding it together today.  I only had to pull off the road twice to howl.

I'm not counting any of the things from under the house as outs.  If I stop and think about it long enough to enumerate I will be paralysed.

While this is emotionally horrible, it's necessary.  I can also recommend being responsible for getting rid of someone else's shit as an antidote to consumerism.

12 in 11

Louisa at The Really Good Life, has set herself the challenge of only buying 12 items of clothing in 2011.

I am sooo up for this.  I have a lot of clothes.  They are mostly op-shopped, but I still have more than is strictly necessary.

I've already bought one item this month, a dress to wear to a wedding in April, so that's January's quota taken care of.

Louisa's exceptions list is very sensible and I see no reason to change it.

• Essential footwear – new sports shoes when the old ones die, gumboots or essential footwear for safety, anything else is part of the 12. 
• Essential underwear – bras and undies are exempt but on a replacement basis only.  Hosiery is exempt but purchases will be minimal.
• Gifts - gifts of clothing are exempt but I will not solicit clothing as gifts.
• Stuff I make myself - I can sew and despite recent decluttering continue to have a good fabric supply.  If I need it, I should be able to sew it.

Seven Things week 8

Traditionally this is a week of cleaning out in order to start fresh in the New Year. 

And it's not just me.

The Op Shops are always overloaded during this period.  Vinnies even had half-price sales in the fortnight before Christmas in order to clear some space for the influx.

I was full of plans for my own clear-out but a gardening induced injury on Christmas Eve jarred my bad hip and I've been unable to do very much at all.  Resentful+

ToF has been marvellous and entered the spirit of Seven Things on my behalf.  He has cleared out several pairs of skis and stocks and let me declutter some of the flat surfaces at his house in lieu of the big clear out at mine.  He also let me tidy the linen cupboard as long as I promised not to throw things away.  I'm sure it's been bloody annoying for him and he's borne it with good humour and patience.  I'm also sure he's checking this to see if I've sneaked anything out on him. ;)

IN

• 7 magazines from op shop for browsing and passing on $4
• 1 knitting magazine (a weakness, but it was the Fall Vogue)
• 1 pr moleskins for TOF Salvos $1
• 1 polar fleece ski shirt for TOF Salvos $3.50
• 1 cast iron baking dish GIFT for TOF
• 1 set serving dishes GIFT 

OUT

• 4 prs skis.  Not worth salvaging, I'm afraid.  We'd sell them if we could - BIN
• 2 prs stocks - OP SHOP
• 1 kitchen scale  OP SHOP
• 2 watches, unfixable - METAL RECYCLING
• 1 steamer insert for saucepan - METAL RECYCLING
• 1 plastic sewing box - RECYCLING
• 1 bag marbles and decorative stones - OP SHOP
• 1 glasses case - OP SHOP
• 2 boxes bottle tops, failed craft project - RECYCLING
• 1 cat scratching post, destroyed - BIN
• 1 pr ski boots - OP SHOP
• 5 books - RECYCLING
• 1 pr jeans - OP SHOP
• 2 jumpers - OP SHOP/GIFT
• 1 pram net - OP SHOP
• 4 shirts - OP SHOP
• 2 skirts - OP SHOP
• 1 jumper - OP SHOP
• 5 storage jars - OP SHOP
• 1 pr shoes - BIN
• 12 odd socks - BIN
• 1 pr dead cotton socks - BIN
• 1 bathrobe, threadbare and stained - BIN
• 1 doona cover - OP SHOP
• 3 lengths furnishing fabric - OP SHOP
• 1 book - OP SHOP
• 1 aluminium baking dish - OP SHOP
• 7 hand towels - BIN
• 1 oven mitt - BIN
• 1 lace curtain - OP SHOP
• 5 items of microwave plastic stuff - OP SHOP
• 1 casserole dish - OP SHOP
• 1 coffee mug - OP SHOP
• 1 set outsized playing cards - GIFT

SIAA
1 shawlette/scarf

IN 12

OUT 74

NETT OUT 62

SIAA   1

Passioknit

TOF has set this as the wallpaper on his computer.

I'm a multitasker, but even I'm not that good (and TOF's just pointed out that my arms aren't that long)!