Many of my regular Random Readers will know that I am not a lover of housework. Indeed, my motto is "Housework won't kill you but why take the chance?" a concept I have followed for years. Now I do not want you to think I live in squalor because I don't. I hate a dirty sink and a nasty bathroom as well as the next person, but a speck of dust never bothered me and heaps of books and magazines and other detritus certainly doesn't either. I like a bit of clutter, it makes me feel warm and cosy and possessive. It is MY clutter. I love it.
A couple of years ago I had new bookshelves in my living room. I designed them and a local carpenter built them for me. They are wonderful. When I returned from an Australian trip (they were done while I was away) and I saw them I was struck all of a heap and just sat and drooled. I made them deep to allow for future double stacking. Well that time has arrived and at the start of this year I decided I really needed to sort them out. So over two days I tidied up, I shelved, I moved books and yes, I actually decided to get rid of some. These were books I had had for some time because (a) I thought I might read them or (b) thought I might read them again. When I asked myself whether (a) or (b) was likely and the honest answer was no, out they went. I ended up getting rid of about 100 books and staggered along to the charity shop with bulging carrier bags. Now my shelves are neat and tidy and all in order and I am much happier. I don't mind other things being a mess but I do like my books tidy.
Since I mentioned that I have done this I have received tweets and requests for photos of the same and so here they are. I have my Bronte shelves, Dickens shelves, Wharton shelves etc etc and they are now all tidy and together.
Later on last week I found myself sorting out my food cupboards in the kitchen as well. I know not why, a sudden impulse came over me and I got stuck in. A bit shamemaking finding fondant icing that should have been chucked out in 2016 amongst others and loads of stuff got thrown in the bin. Everything is now in neat containers and storage jars (picked up some lovely Hornsea ones in a charity shop a week ago) and all was gemutlich.
But then I looked at my cutlery drawers. and realised they were in a mess too and sorted those out. I also treated myself to some new stainless steel cutlery as my other stuff was a jumble of different designs and a bit of a mish mash.
And then FINALLY I found myself doing a Marie Kondo on my scarf drawer and rolling them all up neatly and they are now all colour co-ordinated.
I began to panic slightly and wondered if this mania for tidiness was going to continue, but I am pleased to report Dear Readers in case you were worrying, that as suddenly as the feeling came over me so it has departed.
I can now relax.
For another two years anyway...
