Christmas

[Louise Lotz]

Yesterday I put up the Christmas tree. I have a plastic tree because I think it is more environmentally friendly. So I had to get it down from the attic. While I was up there I got a few more things down as I need to clear the attic for the insulation people who are coming in the spring. They were coming in autumn, but I had to put them off as I had not done the clearance.

I have done quite a number of cleaning jobs and there are big improvements. However, my study area and the bedroom are still the biggest blackspots. The kitchen needs some further decluttering and the paper declutter will take at least a year I think even once I have all the stuff in boxes and have chucked out the superficial junk.

My main strategy now for the next week or so is a damage limitation and re-thinking how I want to work in the study area.

I was hoping to get the bedroom to a better state before starting on this but this did not fully happen, although I improved the underlying system and have at least made sure there is clean linen and a nice clear window sill so I can lie in bed and see the tree outside the window.

I need to re-organise my clothes and just re-start the bedroom operation.

I have done some de-junking in the living room. For a start I have moved the cushions from the patio chairs to under the stairs so they are not in the way. I have moved a big plant nearer the window to make room for the Christmas tree in the other corner. Today I am going to move round the room fixing up 3 or 4 piles of clutter in different corners. There is now some clutter in the Christmas tree corner. This consists mainly of presents waiting to be wrapped and some baubles that need to go onto the tree. I divided the Christmas decorations into baubles angels icicles etc, and about half have already gone onto the tree. I have not found the lights yet.

Getting the Christmas tree up is good - most years it has not happened until a few days before Christmas.

My next problem is I have an advent calendar - a home made one - and I don't know what to put in the pockets as we are on a diet. This should have been started on 1st December so we will have a whole week's treats at once. I think I need to get dried fruits and nuts - or something like that as I do not want us just eating chocolates every day - maybe dried apricots and prunes or muesli bars or home made gingerbread. That might be OK.