East Cheshire Hospice Midnight Walk 2009

I did the East Cheshire Hospice 10k Midnight Walk on Saturday night, well, Sunday morning actually. I did the walk last year with my then new friend. This year I procastinated that much about contacting her that she did not join me this year. I left it too late!

Fortunately for me I joined a colleague and her friends. They dressed as fairies and I went as a walker, in my anorak! We did it in 3 hours and 24 minutes. Which was longer than last year. We were held up by the shear numbers of walkers (over 1,000) crossing roads, climbing stiles, walking up narrow passages and down dark bumpy footpaths; accross fields and through housing estates.

I have raised £100 so far. My target is £150. I have an account on www.justgiving.com if you would like to contribute before 20th October that would be awsome! I have registered with the name Dorothy's Page.

Clearing My Clutter 22

The energy is flowing. After starting on the neighbourhood, one of my neighbours has been busy. I noticed today that someone has continued where I left off last time, when I cleaned up part of our garage area. This is great! I was planning in my head to do a little more on my return from shopping, but as I went out to my car I noticed that the Ivy I mentioned in my last post, has been chopped. Also, some of the weeds in the pavement blocks have been removed. While there are still some weeds knocking about and a number of loose leaves blowing in the breeze, it looks a lot better. I will go out and brush up a little tomorrow, and attack more weeds.

Instead of doing more outside, I decided to do a bit of cutting back in my own back garden again. I have filled our green wheelie bin with shrubbery stuff. Wait till my DH notices. He will be glad I have done some garden work, but maybe a bit miffed that I have filled the bin and he will have nowhere to put his grass cutting later in the week. Ah well, you can't have it all ways.

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Started on the Neighbourhood.

After jet washing the patio, I did not get round to doing the back path. However, I did start on the garage parking area around the corner. I got out my trusty hoe and big brush. The area is made up of paving bricks and has become quite a mess. Moss has got in to all the gaps between the bricks, and soil, which the ants keep bringing to the surface, has provided good anchor for seedlings and weeds. There are even Ash tree saplings growing, (likely from the 100 year old tree in my back garden).

It was gone 2pm, so late enough on a Sunday to make some noise, I think! So, a hoeing I went. Quite enjoyable to be uplifting the mossy growth and dislodging the weeds. I brushed up the debris and tossed it into the neighbours' green bins. I only managed to do approx a 12 foot wide strip about 3 car lengths across, but it is enough for now and took me about half an hour. Not much time at all. I'll have another go another day. Anyway, who knows, maybe some neighbours will have a bash, like the people at the back with the new fencing, as mentioned in an earlier post of mine. I am pleased with the results so far and have come in feeling physically wrecked, but quite pleased with myself. OH! Please... allow me to pat myself on the back. It spurs me on to do more.

So that's a bit more clutter cleared, I'm sure it will help again, feng shui wise. This area is connected with my career and wealth.

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Not so much clutter, as yucker!

I Jet washed my patio and garden path today. It was getting quite yucky and slippery. It took me 3 hours with a quick coffee break, provided by my DH. I could have done with a comfort break too, but that would have meant stripping off my water proofs and wellies. Should have got a photo for you, but you'll have to take my word for it. I was covered in splashes of muck all over my face and specs. I felt like Margo out of 'The Good Life', in my yellow plastic pants and top. I now feel a great sense of achievement. This will hopefully lead on to my jet washing the passage from the back garden round to the front and will help Feng Shui wise in eliminating waste stuff from my life.

My DH also cleared some clutter today. He bought some new garden furniture last week and broke the old bench up, then took it to the tip. The next thing to tackle before summer is gone completely, (not that we've had much), is the over-growth of all the shrubbery. My DH has been doing the gardening tasks these past few years. I used to do it all the time, but found my working life so full, that I've did not seem to have enough time and energy left for the garden. I am now getting more involved again. We have a Mahonia that has turned into a prickly monster. Not looking forward to that one!

Aqua Afghan

This is a continuous granny square. I used arran wool, which is a bit corse, but looks nice and will keep someone's knees warm. Just the right size for wheelchair travel, or as a lap blanket. This method of crochet of continously crochetting around the square if not as effective as my usual little squares stitched together. It is quicker to produce, but does not lay flat unless on the carpet, like in the above photo. It is my first one in this style and I am thinking about trying it again and aiming to reduce the rippled effect. It looks quite good here though and will be great as a warmer. It is awaiting a buyer in our Art & Craft department. Sorry if anyone reading this is interested as up to now we do not have online selling. If however, you are interested, you could leave me a comment.

Crochet Blanket 4

The buyer of my brown afghan has reported that they are enjoying it. She was going to give it as a gift, but has decided to keep it. Her husband does not understand. I can just see her in front of the TV on a cold winter's evening. Wrapped up nice and snug. I bet he even asks to join her! Maybe she'll be back for another.

Crocheted Blanket 4 - Afghan in Browns

This Afghan has been made from oddments of knitting yarns in varieties of brown. 100 squares and approximately 100 hours. I like the contrast of shades. It is big enough to use as a lap blanket or a small throw on the back of a settee.


Wow. This blanket has just sold for our Art & Craft Stall. The buyer will be paying £12.00 at the end of the week. I know if you go by the hours worked it is a grose underpayment, but you can't charge high prices; people won't buy. I'm glad it's going to someone who appreciates how long it took and the work that went into it.

Clearing My Clutter 19

You'll never guess what has happened. After clearing away the clutter from the side of my shed and cutting back my neighbours ivy; my neighbour has replaced the fence panels that divide our gardens and taken down all the ivy to boot!!! WOW, I would not have thought that the Feng Shui effect would stretch to this. Whoopeeee!

OK OK so I may be getting a little carried away here, but it's so good to see the ripple effect in practice. As Karen Kingston has said in her book 'Clear Your Clutter' - that when you start clearing clutter, those around you miraculously do so too.

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Today was clearing the side of the shed day. Well; most of it anyway. I cleared a load of rubbish, which went to the tip with the help of my DH (Dear Husband). Just some gravel stones to clear, which can easily wait for another day. The plan is to have a good space to store my wheel barrow, which has been inaccessible on the other side of the shed, where I had made an area for composting. The trees that screen off this area have grown so big, that it is now inconvenient to access. I like the trees so the area will be out of bounds, and I plan to keep it clear of rubbish, so that come the day when the trees have had their time I will be able to reclaim the space.

I have also cut out some of my neighbours Ivy, which was growing through and over the fence and blocking my exit route through the back garden gate and down the passageway. This will help in Feng Shui terms; with the flow of chi and releasing of waist products from my life.

It feels really good each time I clear some clutter. I feel refreshed and energised to do some more. The small sense of achievement helps me to continue, even though I rest in between activities.

Clearing My Clutter 17

Another 15 minute burst of Clearing My Clutter. I attacked my wardrobes. Out goes some outfits that I have not worn for years.

A suit I wore for work, which I like the jacket, but the trousers did not fit right; they were too baggy on the hips. I am an apple figure you see, and there are not many trousers that do fit, but these one's were particularly baggy, like jodhpurs. Where the trousers go, the jacket goes too. I'm a matching set person. Well up to now, until my perfectionism is curbed a bit more.

A lovely outfit that has seen better days. Black skirt and waist coat, with embroidered jewel coloured flowers and an emerald green light cotton blouson top. Very gypsy like. I saved it for fancy dress. Hey! How many fancy dress parties do I go to? Yer, exactly. And how often would I want to be a gypsy? Yer, Yer!!! Out Out damn Clutter. The next fancy dress I go to, I'll get something from the charity shop.

A selection of tops not worn for ages, some a bit small as well. Some other clothes, I can't even remember what they are, and they're still in the hallway, waiting to go! What does that tell you?

Thanks again FlyLady.

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Car in garage. Now... Shed cleared out! I'm on a roll. On Sunday morning I tackled the garden shed. I have not cleared it out properly for about 3 years. My husband was complaining that he could not get in. So I spread all the stuff on the lawn. Decided what was going where: charity, work, tip or back into shed. Then I asked hubby to clean out the spiders, which he did gladdly. We decided what went back in and he put it away. Monday came and dear hubby took the tip stuff, only to be weylaid by a neighbour, who kept an old shuvel. No problem. A few bits went into the garage, that's ok, only need them a few times a year. Hubby will take stuff to charity and I will take stuff to work.

We got rid of: 2 shuvels, a broken fork, an old mop, 2 pairs of duff secatures, old rusty and clapped out edge cutters, 2 bin bags of plastic plant pots, retractable washing line, other bits and evicted dozens of spiders.

Tonight after work I cleared out a drawer. Why did I need so many cardboard book postage packagings? I was selling some of my books on Amazon, but have decided that it's more trouble than it's worth. So out goes the cardboard to be recycled.

I've been reading 'Sink Reflections' again, and become invigorated. Also, I've been reading FlyLady's e-mail messages, which help keep me going. Well done FlyLady.

Art Course 2

Here are images of my Great Grandmother. The original is a print of a faded photograph, dated around 1865. I have worked over the top, in pencil crayon, marker & gel pens and in water colour. She starts out looking like an English rose and becomes more afro looking.
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The moderator.... They say.... Yes!

So that's level 1 acheived. I am now considering level 2. Although there are other things I'd also like to do.

Art Course

My art course is now complete; I am relieved and happy to have achieved this as well. I just hope the assessor is satisfied. It is level 1 and I'm toying with the idea of doing level 2. There are other things I want to do so this might have to take a back seat. Here is a soft pastel picture of my Nana and Grand-dad, taken from an old photograph. It turned out a bit cartoonish and I quite like it.
And the photo it is taken from > > > >

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I finally did it.

By chipping away doing 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there, I have finally got my car in the garage. It feels so great to have achieved this; I am telling everyone. It has spured me on to clear more clutter. I can’t wait to tell my neighbour, who has been watching my slow progress from time to time when we are both out at our garages. He showed me a way to protect my car from the sides by putting some pipe lagging on a length of plastic pipe and attaching this to the wall, and hanging a tennis ball from the rafters to let me know when I have driven in far enough. So these tricks are next on my list. I still have clutter to clear, but hey, what a whiz!!! I will post a photo soon.

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Today I lightened my load. I answered a wanted add on FreeCycle and the young lady came to pick up my lawn scarifier, which I have not used for about 6 years. She got more than she bargained for, as I took the opportunity to off-load more Clutter. She was happy to also take a TV stand, CD player and a few other bits. She would have take the plastic garden chairs, but she ran out of room in her car. I hope my Clutter becomes treasure. That's a bit more room in my garage. Maybe I will have my car in it by this winter.

I have signed up to FlyLady e-mails and I find there are lots of great ideas to help clear my Clutter. One particular message struck home. FLYLADY: Are You Having Anxiety Attacks Getting Rid of Clutter?

My Tip of Hope here is - Go to: http://www.flylady.net/ and see for yourself. It has helped me to just give clutter away. The clutter is doing me no good and the time and effort waisted in trying to sell is just not worth it. It is still a slow process for me, but I'm getting there.

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Favourite photo from my recent holiday in Alaska.

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All the items from my previous post have now been disposed of. However, my office is as cluttered as ever. So time to get back to work. I have another load of stuff on the edge of decision. Decision between, whether to sell on Ebay, give on Freecycle or just take to the charity shop.

Him indoors is away this week, so I can pull things out and make the place untidy, while I decide what to do. I am also finishing off my Artwork for my college course. We are exhibiting soon! So, that's all over the lounge floor while I am alone. I've got till Sunday to get the place ship shape for his return.

I have been gaining inspiration and motivation from Flylady, as mentioned in other posts. I am also motivated by career prospects and the desire to move on in life. The old stuff has got to go.

Clearing My Clutter 12

Well.... I managed to extract myself from the TV and cosy chair and my knitting. I cleared some clutter off to local charity. I do hope they make some money out of it, and someone else finds a bargain.

Done some scanning this-after. My first wedding album. The marriage ended 20 years ago! I am to throw out the album and select a few photos to keep; the rest will be deleted. I am also, finally parting with the wedding dress. I kept it to use as a christening gown. Fat chance eh! I'm well into menopause territory now! No descendants to pass on to, so off to eBay or charity again.

It is so hard letting go of stuff. I have treasured and find giving some of it away quite painful. Tiny Tears is in bad shape and not worth the space she takes up. However, I have loved her. Tressy and Action Girl have a nice little selection of clothing. Collectors pieces? Not worth much cash. I should just give them to charity as well. Not yet. I'm checking out eBay again. I don't really have the time for eBay. So they clutter my office, which I have just cleared. I really must keep a check on this and get rid.

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Happy New Year 2009.

I managed to clear the bedroom, ready for visitors over Christmas, and up to now I have kept it clear!

With renewed vigour; I have set about clearing my garage again. Not much change since I last photographed it in Nov 2007. Oh, some of the clutter has changed, but there's still just as much. My fridge has gone and so too has the manicure table. I have selected a pile to go to the local charity place and plan this afternoon to pay them a visit with a carload.

My aim is to have my car in the garage by the end of January. So I must be off now and get to it.