Monday 28th March
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| 87/365: summer snowflakes |
I had a quiet but actually very productive weekend. I hadn't intended to do anything on the decluttering front but ended up tackling all the books, chosen partly because it was the easiest task on my list but mainly that it will give me very obvious signs of progress by all the empty spaces that will be visible once the excess books leave the house.
I started with the bookcase which is crammed full of the novels my sister passes on to me. I can't tell you how grateful I am to receive these but ... I know I'm holding on to too many books that I have no wish to read, so I removed them all from the shelves, read the blurb on each one and made a quick decision of which to keep. I've ended up keeping just under half of them and have put aside a big bag of books that Joy may like. The rest will be donated. I also had another look through the music tutor books and sorted out a lot more, which have been added to the donations pile as well as a couple of cook books that I have never used.
I still have to deal with the books I want to sell. I've taken the photos and will list the majority of them on eBay but won't do that until this Sunday as I need to work out how much the postage will be ... I need a new battery for the scales before I can do that. I also have a stack of wind band arrangements to deal with so will contact the local senior schools to see if they are interested in them, but if not I will send them on to Oxfam for their specialist music shops. I think that'll be the end of the book/music mountain and I'll be able to tick it off on the list!
Today I'd like to take the car out for a long drive and I'll take my camera with me to make the best of the weather ... it's supposed to be our last sunny day this week as rain is promised from tomorrow, so I don't really want to spend it indoors. I've made a list of the photos I need for the WPSH and my monthly photo challenge and I'm not coming home until I find them all! 🤭
Well done on all the book decluttering! I've been decluttering some files - slow going because I am cutting each bank statement into small bits with a pair of scissors because I don't have a shredder.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great day and find all the photos! I think I have most of my monthly photos, but, I might not be able to finish the WPSH, this time. I shall try, though. Like you, I should just make a list and go looking for items to photograph!
Cutting all the papers with scissors must take you ages and don't your hands get sore? I really dislike shredding but am glad I bought one as it makes the jobs so much easier for a very small outlay of money.
DeleteYes, I found all the photos I wanted and just have to take a few more around the house and I've finished. Don't worry if you don't manage to finish on time ... either take extra time to get the missing photos or just show the ones you have.
Have a wonderful adventure and I hope you find some amazing things to photo.
ReplyDeleteI find books the very hardest thing to declutter so am filled with admiration.
xx
I find my own book choices hard to declutter but all of these were passed on my my sister, teaching resources which I no longer need and my late partner's books on engineering, so it was a much easier task than it may sound.
DeleteWell done on your book decluttering. I took bags and bags full to the charity donation centre three or four years ago and they took the lot although I did keep some back that I didn't want to part with and have added some more (sigh), it's hard isn't it. I hope you find some good photo opportunities today, what a shame this glorious weather is about to change.
ReplyDeleteI found all the photos I needed, thanks.
DeleteI think the local charity shops may be accepting books again. If my friend's son doesn't want them for his charity sales I'll take them to the local hospice shop.
Wonderful photo of the snow drop. Well done you with getting more of the de-cluttering done. Hope you have a fun relaxing day out & that there are lots of photo opportunties.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary-Lou. Sorting through the books has cleared a lot of space so I'm glad I made the effort - typical that my decluttering mojo comes back just when I'm supposed to be taking things easy to protect my eyes!
DeleteI had a great day out and was lucky enough to find all the photos I needed.
It's so hard decluttering books. It must be really satisfying to clear them.
ReplyDeleteIt is satisfying to have them sorted out and will be even better when they all leave the house. It's cleared lots of space and that has spurred me on for the next task - clothes and household linen!
DeleteWhat a lovely photo of the snow drop, it would make a great greetings card. You are doing well on the decluttering front, we have sold lots of books through Ziffit, once you reach a certain number of books, or a set amount of money they will pick up the books in boxes from your house. We use Ziffit for the books that have less monetary value. At some point hubby wants to go through the other books that have more value but not any ISBN numbers. Helen S.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen. I've sold books with Ziffit before but they weren't interested in any of the novels this time. They offered a price for a couple of the other books but I know I will get a much better price by selling on eBay - they are specialist books that are out of print and much sought after.
DeleteLovely flowers. Good luck on your photo hunt. I have missed the last 2 hunts because we never seem to go anywhere to take photos. Starting to do that a bit more lately.
ReplyDeleteWe did tackle all the sheet music around here this past month. It belonged to my father in law and then some was our kids. Hubby still has to run it by the church/school, but at keast it has been gathered up.
We have a huge stash of books, and last time we decluttered it was reduced by less than 1%. We do plan on tackling the small size paperbacks, as they don't look particularly good on the shelves, and many are packed away in boxes. I have never had any luck with selling books on eBay. Half.com used to work better.
Thanks Susanne. I was able to find all the photos I needed so will be able to complete the hunt. May you will be able to join in with the summer hunt ... you have been missed.
DeleteThe books I'm planning to sell on eBay are specialist books that are out of print and much sought after by collectors so tend to sell for a good price. The novels and cookbooks etc. will go to charity as soon as I can arrange it.
Wonderful photo! Good work on the books. Now I think maybe I need to get rid of some of mine. Never thought of selling them ... hmmm. I last had a massive clearout some years ago; put them all in a box and left them in the car to offer to anyone I met. After a few weeks, the leftovers went to charity. However I have since acquired loads which I am unlikely to ever read, so they can probably go. There are plenty of unreads which I know I'm actually interested in!
ReplyDeleteI don't bother trying to sell novels or recent non fiction on eBay because it doesn't make much money. The books I'm selling on that site are out of print and sought after by collectors - the last one I sold went for £115, so it's worth the effort.
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