Vanilla Fudged 17

[Vanilla]

Thanks RD

I spent the whole of the weekend packing H stuff into boxes.

I had absolutely no idea H had so much stuff, it lurks in cupboards, hides behind doors, under beds, in pieces and with wires.

Absolutely no idea why H saves almost everything. Duplicates and triplicates of essential items, repackaged. old spares and manuals from long deceased equipment. Old phones, battery packs, leads etc. I have just packed it. I have no idea why H wants to save this stuff and it's not for me to decide. I have carefully packed almost every single item, the only items not packed are mouldy, perished or so corroded they will damage other items. I have wrapped in paper, cleaned and sprayed polish.

As I go I have de cluttered my stuff, but it's pathetic in comparison. A little like a mole hill compared to a mountain.

I need to make a decision about CDs, LPs and DVDs. I will record these before I hand them back to H. This may take time but I doubt H will notice the slow return as most of it is packed into the attic in boxes.

Gracious, I have a new hobby! learning ripping, Edz kindly advised me a few threads back so I will begin.

I am as stiff as a board, carrying boxes and more boxes. Mirrors, lamps, pottery, electrical equipment. The small van is full, packed to the core. Not one single space, but it's done.

The one thing that strikes me is that H has little sense of humour. I find most things amusing but this infuriates H. I have found myself rocked with laughter at some of the items saved. Why would H save his DWs, old underwear or empty perfume bottles, he must have some sentimental reasons. Empty shampoo bottles anyone? Toilet roll cardboard? Chocolate foil wrap?

By doing this de cluttering I feel so much lighter and I open cupboards and things don't fall out on me. I open drawers and they are organised not crammed. I can see the towels in the airing cupboard. I don't have 3 ironing boards two of which are damaged. I have only one iron, one Hoover, one mixer, and no electric knife!

Old cans, bottles and jars are thrown away. Junk food is gone, empty biscuit tins kept because they are attractive, gone. Old towels kept for cleaning gone. Tea towels with holes gone. H you can have all these to sort and clear, none of this is mine.

I am aware that in the Big House I was gradually crowded out. Less and less of me and more and more of H. I have white towels, dressing gowns, bedding and covers. I throw away or recycle damaged dirty and worn out items. Old electric stuff is recycled straight away.

I know that I was struggling under a mountain of stuff. Suffocating when managing it.

I feel freer as H takes his stuff. I am also noticed that there is very little of 'our' stuff and what there is has been bought by me. H spends his cash on H, and my cash goes on bills.

This has been a real experience for me. Unique.

V