The Joy Chronicles: crafts & electronics

This is me chronicling my September tidying campaign using the Marie Kondo method. I have done clothes and books and papers and moved onto komono (which is Japanese for 'stuff').

There are many categories of stuff so this will take a bit, but so far I have:

-gone through my puzzles and got them down to 18!
-gone through my craft box and collage supplies box
-gone through the electronics box and moved what remains into a proper plastic container

I have also been trying to do more of what she recommends in terms of envisioning your space and asking questions of your space, and I decided I wanted a proper nightstand (bedside table) instead of the laundry hamper I had from childhood (I use it as a puzzle chest) so I ordered one from Ikea and the boys and their father put it together and it is really lovely. It is pine and smells nice and really opens up my side of the bedroom. It feels like I can breathe easier.

I am moving on to other komono categories and for these I am going to need some assistance from the Universe in terms of storage and containers. I think I have actually gotten one answer from the Universe but I haven't acted on it so I will report back the results (if positive) in the next post.

But I am happier with the closet, happier with my side of the bedroom, happier with the boys' closet. It's working!

Here are some quotes I like from her Spark Joy:

...tidying up means confronting yourself...cleaning means confronting nature... [Very cool distinction, I think, and makes perfect sense to me.]

a joy-filled home is like your own personal art museum...By the time you finish, you'll see something you love everywhere you look. [a nice image of the goal]

organizing by material (cloth, paper, electric) made me put a small silver tray and a silver container (in the shape of a traditional Rwandan house/hut), and my silver letter opener together on my new nightstand and it works, it feels right, sometimes if you just read her principles they sound strange but when you actually apply them, they tend to make sense.

Collage Journaling: two fruit cards

To be honest, I haven't felt like collaging much after I did my spurt of making cards at the first of the month, and knowing I will be doing a lot in October, but today I felt inspired enough to do two cards with the last of my dried fruit embellishments. So here are apple and pear!

[Edited to add: so far I am still winning my $20 bet with Minor to not buy any new collage supplies (except glue) until the New Year!]

Into the Void

I am not feeling great today as a result of very high pollen count and it's effect on my sleep last night. Itchy eyes, junky throat, sneezing. I took some meds, but they took their time kicking in. And the boys' father (also junky) was snoring usually loud!

But it's been an okay week overall.

I went to the eye doctor on Tuesday. This is a big deal because I have been procrastinating for over a year. The part of me that Doesn't Want to Take Care of Myself can be very persuasive. It's been at least 2 since I went. I had a recent cross stitch fiasco and decided I needed to get indoor glasses. And my driver's license has to be renewed before May and I want my driving glasses to be as strong as needed. They did bump up my driving glasses and give me reading glasses. Reading glasses are new to me and make me feel like an Old Lady. BUT the doctor was super kind and the assistant was very bubbly and it was a pleasant medical experience so yay.

Minisculus was out of school sick on Tuesday but bounced back the next day.

My nightstand arrived, was assembled, and is a very nice addition. De-cluttering campaign is slow but advancing. I took some electronics to Staples (office supply) as they recycle and a bag of clothes to Goodwill. I am still training (once again slow but steady) for the November 5k.

The boys' father is probably leaving next Saturday (30 September). I have a promise that he will be back for Hallowe'en. I am planning to go to the beach with or without the family. I didn't go last year and regretted it.

The neighbor downstairs gave us some home grown tomatoes and I know it's cliche but they really do taste so much better than store bought. I can eat tomatoes on toast by themselves.

The bus driver shortage has been resolved and the new driver comes on time! Hallelujah!

I am trying desperately to finish my last fic for Season of Kink bingo before the end of the month and I actually sat down and worked on it yesterday and got Chapter 1 written.

I watched 3 haunted house films. Are all haunted house films metaphors for bad motherhood? Or does it just seem that way.

SUGA (my BTS bias) is starting his Korean military service and because of a shoulder injury is going to community service as a social worker (for 2 years) instead of the regular military service. It's a little silly to be so proud of him, but I am, damn it. Do some good, sir, don't just be (really expensive) cannon fodder and learn to shoot guns at people.

I am slowly working my way through Christie's They Do It With Mirrors. Sometimes Ol' Aggie really knew how to pick a title, didn't she?

Edited to add: I am also trying to start a daily yoga practice. I am trying to get a grounding in all the poses. So I am doing a 30 day Yoga with Adriene challenge from eight years ago on Youtube. I like Adriene. I like her newer videos better but I like the completeness of a 30 day challenge, then I can formulate my own routine(s).