Afternoon all,
Day off today, so I thought I would tackle a thorough sort out and clean of "the office" otherwise known as the third bedroom, (it's never had a bed in it) or perhaps more accurately the "Paper Chamber of Doom"
Mr P, usually so uncomplaining when it comes to domestic shortcomings, actually referred to it as a tip on Sunday 
so I decided to make it my mission.
To be completely honest, I hadn't realised it was quite so bad. In theory it should have meant sorting out piles of paperwork, followed by a quick sashay with the hoover, a squirt or 2 of polish, quick swipe with the old underpants duster and job done.
I found that I had managed to "file" several pairs of shoes beneath the bottom shelf of the bookcase. And a few handbags. Possibly a belt or two, but that's it. Honest. 
I would like to say that I put them in the proper place, but that would have meant sorting out the bottom of the fitted wardrobes in the bedroom, so I've popped them into the spare bedroom, just for now. Along with the black bin liner that was full of boots and shoes from the last time I had a sort out.
Anyway with the non office type stuff relocated I started on the piles of paper. I did award myself a gold star and a big red tick for NOT getting sidetracked by reading any more than necessary to decide which pile to put it in. I started with "keep" and "throw" as 2 simple classifications, but I had to revise this when confronted by some that were "not sure" and others that were detailed drawings and reports on drains that I put in a fourth pile for Mr P's perusal when he comes home. But, there was a bonus! Imagine my joy when I came across the 3 bags of chocolate money that I had so skillfully hidden from the dgc's 
Oliver Sprout wandered in and took quite a keen interest, mainly because there was a fly buzzing about on the window, and he can't resist a fly, but the Rudolph Nureyev at his prime style of leaping (graceful though it was) caused several piles to fall over and become muddled up, so I asked him to leave.
I needed to clear the top shelf, which is a bit high for me, so went to get the small stool which we keep in the downstairs loo. (No sniggering at the back, thank you). I put the spare toilet roll on the floor next to the Harpic and toddled back upstairs.
Excellent progress was made, so much so that I could even start hoovering! Actually, I hoovered twice, because after the first go round I decided to empty the hole punch into the bin, and it will come as no surprise that as I wrenched the cover off, the contents scattered all over the floor. It looked like two mice had just got married.
At last all was done, the room looked fit for purpose again, and a faint hint of lavender polish hung upon the air.
I decided that a 
was in order, perhaps with a small 
.
Ignoring the fact that the landing now seemed to be rather more cluttered than when I started, 
I went downstairs with a merry heart and a light tread......................
Do you know just how much mess and havoc can be made by leaving a hooligan cat and a brand new toilet roll in the same vicinity?
I have decided NOT to have any refreshments until the sun is over the yardarm 
Gransnet forums
House and home
Just looking around my office - all those paper boxes that I have kept for when I get round to clearing out DBH's sheds so all related objects can go inside - are stacked up by the printers, empty. There are three in the workshop/shed with paintbushes, cleaner and restorer and sanding stuff. But as DBH put them away, I may never see them again. Then there are the boxes with my craft stuff inside. And 12 filing trays full of filing. etc. etc. etc. Plus the stack of papers ready to be filed. And three boxes of lever arch files full of stuff that has been filed. THEN, I received a letter to say that the storage facility that we rent is closing and I will have to deal with that too - mainly full of DGD's stuff plus some antiquated printers and associated stackers and feeders. I think I may need more than and . Will need 
,
I remember the chaos caused by one semi-feral kitten and a box of tissues. and a puppy who found the basket of wool. That was years ago - I don't remember having so much stuff then. Where does it all come from?
Phoenix
phoenix, you have made my day. I might have the strength of purpose to tackle the 'computer corner' of my spare room. At least I don't have a cat to help me.
So glad it's not only me!
I was wondering why stationery such as printer paper, envelopes, stick on labels etc were on a shelf, but I found that 1 of the desk drawers was stuffed with cables, spare USB ports and other techy bits and bobs, another was full of discs and instructions for installing software, and the last one seemed to be full of make-up, in varying degrees of disintegration (eye shadows) or so gunky that it would never flow freely from the tube ever again
I have finally got a tidy living room [apart from a load of dog blankets on the floor in one corner]. Said room hasn't been tidy since I know not when. I'd like to say that the rest of the house is tidy also but the junk had to go somewhere didn't it [?]. As for extension cables etc, d'you think they reproduce themslves when we're not looking . [the cars' quite tidy as well although it probably needs cleaning...]
number I can only do these sort of tasks when "in the mood". I know that when "himself" comes home and sees the office he is likely to say "great, now let's tackle the spare room!"
The answer will be a very firm "NO" as doing that room will involve a lot of decision making as to what stays and what goes!
I will do the bottom of the built in cupboards first, as a sort of "warm up".
it's been a while since I read a good phoenix story
Would you like to come and tackle the two boxes of DD's paperwork that she left for DH to shred/burn then you can write us another amusing anecdote
I love your story. It made me laugh out loud which I really needed.
Glad to have been of service!
Charleygirl you and I have spoken before about book collections! I swear that fairies add some to each pile!
Mr P and I are both avid readers, and often go to the local charity shops for fresh supplies. Every time we get home with another half dozen or so "new" books to read, we swear that we will have a cull and actually take some back (after carefully writing something within the cover to show that it is one we have read, as we have fallen into that trap before ) but the library is still growing. I have restricted the kitchen shelf to recipe books only, without too much bother, and have culled a fair few, with NO temptation to buy anymore.
However the two bookcases in the sitting room, the one in the hall, the (small) one in the downstairs cloakroom, the 4 shelves in the office, and the sort of depository in the bedroom always seem to be overflowing!
phoenix, chortle!
Phoenix . Now, can someone explain why (1) since the advent of paperless billing/online everything/the age of the computer, we have got more paper than before? (2) my parents, both sensible, professional people with bank accounts and such, when we were kids, they managed to run the household with a cheque book and a lockable cash/document tin? I have masses of ring binders and stuff awaiting filing ( see Phoenix et al above), so what happened? Can people honestly live in a one bedroom flat without a study or spare room to store the ring binders?
Right Charleygirl I'll speak to a courier and get a collection organised!
Thats right phoenix I run a business and my cabinets are bursting at the seams with 6 years of paperwork ( luckily at office, not at home). I had a letter from HMRC saying that I appear to have overpaid NIC for my employees by just over £300. I just wish I could tell them to keep it, I dont want to spend a week analysing last year's payroll.........put it in the poor box .
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