Monday 4 March 2019

Down and back up again











Thank you lovelies one and all for your cheering comments on my last post. I have read them and re-read them and I shall come back to them again when I need to. They honestly helped, so thank you.

I bit off more than I could chew this evening. In an idle moment, not long before urchin bed-time I took it into my head to take everything off this big bookcase we have and mend it (it was leaning sideways under the pressure of all the books) and then pop everything back on, all in a quick half hour.

Even as I proposed the idea I knew it was madness. For starters it took ages just to get everything off of it. Then I tried tipping it over. The children watched in horror as I was nearly squashed flat, and not one of them made a move to help me, not even the big one with all the muscles. Incidentally, he can lift me up, and that is no mean feat I can tell you. He was lifting the littlest boy the other morning by putting his hands under his armpits and lifting him straight up. I said, 'Ooh, now do me,' and I'm blowed if he didn't. I shot straight up into the air. I have to say he dropped me rather sharply though. I wasn't expecting it and my brain slopped about in my head a bit.

Anyway, I digress, back to the bookcase. I tipped it over, then the littlest boy came to my rescue. Shelves fell out (I know, I know, I should have taken them out before tipping. I am wise to this now.) I was starting to get a bit hot and cross by this point, then it turned out Someone had borrowed my hammer and hadn't put it back and was not owning up to it. In the end I had to use half a brick from the garden, which didn't improve my mood at all. I am not at my best right before the urchin bed-time.

Underneath the bookcase was a revelation. Eighteen marbles, four magnets, three playing cards, two Lego heads and five hundred Cheerios. I hammered and muttered and hoovered and dusted and eventually got the thing back in its place with only a slight lean. It took forever to put all the books back and somehow they seemed to have expanded. It was like a reverse Tardis effect. I should know better than to attempt this sort of thing at tense moments of the day, but I've been reading Marie Kondo and you know how that goes. Although I didn't get rid of much. I did huff and puff about the rubbish some people write. Then I said, 'Not you Philip,' and blew some kisses to Philip Pullman whom I love very much. 'And not you either Malorie'. And of course then there are the modern classics like I Swapped My Brother On The Internet which for some reason is a firm favourite of the littlest boy.

I am feeling much calmer now that order has been restored. It's the sock drawer next. Marie Kondo and spring are a match made in heaven no? Don't worry, I'll run out of steam soon. Remind me to tell you about the puppies and the duckling next time. I haven't forgotten, but I think you've put up with enough words for now. Wishing all a good week. CJ xx

21 comments:

  1. Dear CJ, what a post and what a woman.......she owns her own hammer! I borrow my husband's if I can ever find it in his shed. One time I couldn't find it but like you I picked up a half brick wbich did the job very well. I couldn't open one of these childproof tops on a bottle of dishwashing powder because I don't have much strength in my hands due to arthritis. I used a sharp tool (not sure what you call it) and hammered a great hole in the lid of the bottle so that I could pour the contents out when I needed it. When each bottle empties, my husband undoes the new bottle lid and transfers my recreated pouring lid onto the new bottle. It works except for when I want to start a new bottle and he is not around.
    Talking of books, I have just finished a great book by an Aussie author called "The light between oceans" by M.L. Stedman. It was published in 2012. Of course it is set in Australia and I really enjoyed it. Couldn't put it down.
    We await the puppies and ducklings........
    Regards, Robyn

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  2. I've read that people who tend to always be late often have a hard time judging how long a task will take. They believe they can fit in just one more thing before leaving the house to meet someone and then end up being late. Sounds like something similar went on with you - you misjudged a little bit! How did urchin bed-time go after all of that?

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  3. I do the same thing!
    I get something in my head, and no matter what, it must be done!
    I am glad you got it done, and in one piece as well!
    Have a cozy evening. : )

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  4. Books never go back on a bookcase so that they fit neatly. I found this out when decorating L's bedroom recently and had to take all the books off her 3 cases! I too am impressed that you have your own hammer. Several Christmases ago, after yet another of my rants about people using the scissors and not putting them back in the drawer, the girls bought me my own pink floral pair that 'no-one else is allowed to touch ever'. You can guess how long that lasted! xx

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  5. Having a Marie Condo moment is always invigorating. I guess you got more than you bargained for this time. Always tempting to strike when the muse has you, although I’m chuckling at the end result. I look forward to seeing the newly restored shelves. My boys still try to pick me up...I guess it’s a son thing! Have a less stressful week :) B x

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  6. I keep two hammers on top of the fridge. The kids don't know they are there and hubby only ever seems to use the one at the front. Maybe it's a family conspiracy but I can always find a hammer. Then again, I usually need a chair and a map (and plenty of swear words) to find it. It's always there though! xx Susan

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  7. It looks like Bertie has bitten off more that he can chew too. I hope that you don’t find too many odd socks.

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  8. Good to read that you're on the up again. The bookcase saga had me smiling and shaking my head. I like the picture of Bertie.
    Thanks, and for you too. xx

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  9. I’m super impressed at your DIY skills, regardless of the time of day chosen to do them 😆 xx

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  10. I for one stay firmly clear of Marie Kondo anything... Although I am of course not averse to a bit of decluttering in principle. In fact, I rather enjoy it. I am glad you were unhurt by tumbling book shelves. The 500 cheerios made me laugh. I don't know what it is with those hoops, they are sentient and like to explore. I am sure they do. I am intrigued the sibling internet swap, quite intrigued. Have a wonderful incident free week xx

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  11. I think putting books back on bookcases is like repacking a suitcase after a vacation - there are always more books than you started with, and dirty clothes take more room in the suitcase than clean ones!

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  12. i can absolutely relate to the huffing and puffing and struggling and almost-getting-squashed while Other People stand by and watch. I regularly get disgruntled about such things.

    I can also relate to the spring-Kondo effect...I'm fairly sure that any-day-now my enthusiasm for clearing/decluttering will return.

    I also have my own hammer. My own little toolbox, actually. Because heaven knows no-one else in this house does. lol xo

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  13. Marie Condo has a lot to answer for, I need to reread mine to get some inspiration. I always find books so difficult to get rid of. I read an article today about giving an item away for every day of Lent something I intend to do.
    Sarah

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  14. I have to admit that I have been knicking away with Marie Kondo. Living Room books, husband and wife drawers. Pockets of shelves, drawers of desks. Sometimes it's just one and I am better about not letting myself feel overwhelmed when I realize she is not expecting things to get done in one day. It's an ongoing process. But almost everything takes longer than I anticipate. As long as there is stuff going out even if it's a little bit, it's the right direction for me. After doing the drawers, I really realize what I don't wear and I'm almost ready to cull it again.

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  15. I was taught as an engineer that good housekeeping was a place for everything and everything in its place. Everyone needs at least one drawer in the kitchen for things you cannot categorise. My wife keeps her secateurs and a billhook in the kitchen drawer so they do not get mixed up with mine. Purists might think the toolshed is the proper place but we know where we they are and can find them every time. Pointless tidiness means you cannot find anything. Chaos means you do not know what you are looking for. You need to aim for the happy medium. So says someone who emptied the kitchen bookcase in search of the spring ant invasion while cooking supper.

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  16. Oh! I've not read Kondo but have the worst attack of cleaning and getting things done and organizing...is it just the year 2019? Will be married 50 years this year. Am I getting ready for the 'Golden Years'? Hahahaha!

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  17. I'm glad the bookcase is restored and more or less upright. Isn't it amazing how things multiply when your back is turned!

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  18. I read her book and went on a rampage, still I petered out pretty fast and now I think I have even more stuff than before, or it expanded or multiplied or something. I was going for no new clothes or shoes this year, which of course backfired and now I have even more items I don't need. I have been so stressed at work these past few weeks I now have three new pairs of shoes, really what has happened? Glad you were not squashed.

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  19. Aaah CJ you made me chuckle especially the revelations under the bookshelf.
    We are going through similar upheaval at my place as my eldest has barely moved out of home only to have the youngest claim the empty room as swiftly as can be and there is a bookshelf so I can totally relate to your adventures there, especially the anti Tardis effect. We have a very neat bookshelf in the new bedroom but the family room is surrounded on all sides with stacks of books in need of new homes! Wishing you order from the chaos and stay safe!

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  20. Whau!! The trees are fantastic!! You live in a beautiful place!! We are so covered in snow! Winter has been brutal here and there is still some more to come. I have one bookcase that is permanently covered in dust or so it seems. I get ready of books then go to library sales and bring more home.

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  21. I'm cheering you on here, as I am excellent at embarking on "five minute" jobs at really terrible times of day, resulting in dinner being served at 8pm . Also, you need a second hammer. Xx

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