Just like last time, I am finding it challenging to write a post that doesn’t look bad next to a Dead Cat post. In fact, I LOOKED UP what I did last time because I was hoping it would be an idea I could use again. But no: last time I wrote MORE about the dead cat, and then I wrote about my mother-in-law. Ack. She’s coming in less than two weeks, and I don’t want to talk about it this time.
Oh, how about a little Tidying Update? I got rid of all the rest of my dolls. Remember I had something like eighteen of them plus tons of clothes, and I went through and got rid of about half of it, and this time I went through and got rid of all the rest, keeping aside only a few outfits for Elizabeth’s doll. I tried to keep a selection with high play-value: one snow outfit, one swim suit, one set of pajamas, one hospital johnny, several pretty dresses, several basic play outfits. The dolls and outfits I got rid of are going to one of my mom’s friends who arranges to give dolls to kids who are in bad situations (in a shelter for abused women/children, lost all their things to a fire, etc.).
This was one of my most massive declutters, so it’s too bad all that stuff was just in the basement: it does free up a ton of basement storage, but it doesn’t make the living area look different/better. It was four large Rubbermaid bins, plus a three-drawered unit. Now it fits in one small Sterilite bin (except for the doll). There’s a little space left in the bin, so I’m thinking “bin-full” will be our doll clothing limit: if the bin is full and we want another doll outfit, we have to get rid of something first.
I should have posed this so it looked more impressive, rather than stacking the bins (only three of them) in a small-looking pile. Well, anyway, those are three of the four Rubbermaid bins and the three-drawer unit in the background, showing the former Doll Territory; and in the foreground, the one doll (Elizabeth’s—not one of mine) and her small bin of clothes.
I had a decluttering DREAM where I was throwing out a bunch of candles and feeling happy about it, so then when I got up I DID throw away some candles. But I got muddled because I do want SOME candles in case of power outage, but the ones that would be best for that (contained in jars) are scented, and scented is not so nice hour after hour. But does this mean I should keep the unscented one shaped like a rabbit? How about the unscented one shaped like a pumpkin? Maybe I should buy candles specifically for a power outage and get rid of all the others? Tidy People, advise!
I’d probably keep the ones in jars, even if they’re scented.
That’s great on the doll decluttering!
Toss the holiday candles. The jar candles (just a few) are all you need. Keep some flashlights handy too.
I would keep only the ones in jars. I stupidly got rid of all of my candles in a de-clutter fit and the last power outage – which lasted for hours was horrible. I had 3 or 4 measly tealights I found way back under the sink and 2 flashlights. Not a good situation. I’d have killed for the jarred ones – even if they WERE scented.
I am a candle nut. One of my self-imposed bans is that I can no longer buy candles (or hot cocoa mix!) I recently went through my candle stash and divided them into 2 boxes – one for candles I like to burn during different times of the year and another box of candles I don’t really want but would be good in an emergency. Maybe yours could go in your now clear space in the basement?
I’ve already confessed that I’m not a tidy person, and now I shall confess that I am also not a candle person. I do have some specifically for power outages, though.
I’d toss the rabbit & pumpkin & all shaped ones. I’d keep the ones in the jars, even though they’re scented. Even hour after hour, I can’t usually smell the scent anyway. You really are inspiring me to start decluttering my house. So far I’ve given away an old TV, a couch, a DVD recorder, some baby clothes and donated some of my old clothes. And yet, other than the space where the couch was, you can barely see a difference. *sigh*
I have a box of unscented candles and some candle holder from a second hand store in a drawer in my rarely used dining room. I am strict about nothing else going in that drawer and then when a power outage comes everyone knows where to go. The problem was that last time the power went out we were out and came home to a dark house, I darn near killed myself making it into the dining room to dig them out….then I learned the hard way to keep a lighter in the drawer too!!!
I say toss all of them you don’t want and make sure you have flashlights handy. You can light the few candles you like and then use flashlights if there is a power outage (does that happen often in your area?).
Last night I was feeling inspired by you and boxed up these fancy pilsner glasses that I have NEVER used but were taking up space now designated for sippies. But I kept being annoyed because the sippies were crowded an inevitably one would fall out when I’d go for a fresh one and the cabinet is over the stove so it always whacked me on the head and I would get so annoyed. Anyway, it made me feel so much better and I think I’m going to work on the spice cabinet next. Thanks for the inspiration!
Ack! I can’t fathom throwing candles out, but I have one of my kitchen cupboards crammed full of them! I’m with you, I don’t know which ones to get rid of.
I’m very proud of you! I know how hard it is to let go of some things, even if they are going to good homes.
I also have a drawer dedicated to power outages with flashlights, batteries, candles, and a lighter.
I’m guessing that a lot of those candles were gifts. Why not USE them, as the donor would have wanted? Candlelit dinners every night? Not fast enough? Use a whole bunch of them in the master bedroom whenever you and Mr. Swistle get an hour alone. ;)
I’d get rid of all but the jar candles, since those are the most practical for use in a power outage. The scent is an issue, but in my mind at least it doesn’t outweigh the practicality of the in-jar candle.
I love hearing about your Tidying Up. It’s very satisfying.
How often does your power go out?
Chuck the candles and buy a dang flash light! Your eyes adjust to the dark after a little bit and you’ll see better that way than with a candle. But you do need a flashlight in case you have to pee in the middle of the night or something.
Although, I would keep a couple of the nice jar candles if you like the scent. ;)
I keep a few packs of those glow in the dark bracelets and wands (the kind they sell at concerts and such, but I get them at the dollar store) that I use when the power goes out. They give off enough light for the kids to use as a nightlight, plus they love them, plus no flame!
i say keep just the jarred candles – you won’t mind the scent when it’s the only thing giving off light, probably :-) OR, chuck like 75% of the total candle population and allow yourself to then buy 1 massive unscented jar candle as compensation!
Candles aren’t necessarily the safest thing in a power outage with five kids anyway. I’d donate/toss all the candles, or line up a few and plan on lighting them at dinner EVERY NIGHT, and buy myself one or two actual emergency candles (they burn differently) and more batteries for the flashlights. Plus a battery-powered lantern or two, if I didn’t already own one. But that’s tough, because the goal is getting rid of stuff, not buying new stuff.
How often does your power go out anyway? I’ve had some ugly gift candles in a closet “in case of an emergency” for five years now, and they’ve never been lit.
HA, Blogger, I waited till you finished doing whatever it is you do before typing, thus thwarting you plans to erase my comment. HA!
Anyway, I say get rid of ALL the candles and get a box – or a few singles – of tapers, because they take up the least storage space. They won’ be scented, and I imagine the shaped candles are bulky. But I am biased because I loathe most scented candles. Ironically, A won’t let me get rid of our 50,000 scented candles even though we NEVER USE THEM. Perhaps I will just start purging anyway.
That is so great that your donated dolls are going to kids who will love and cherish those toys.
As for candles, I say get rid of the super stinky ones and keep maybe a half-dozen or so for power outages.
(Although I own a giant squirrel-shaped candle so who am I to talk?)
Swistle– Great Job! I think you’ve gotten enough candle advice, what are you going to do with all the empty bins now? I picture you emptying some of the closets you shared with us. Just THINK of the bin possibilities. I can’t wait to find out.
I’d say keep the jarred candles for power outages, even if they are scented. Candles really aren’t the safest thing to use in that situation, especially with kids, so hang on to them as one option, but buy a couple of battery-powered lanterns and make sure you have flashlights. Those are both better light sources for outages.
Good work on the dolls! I LOVE the spacious feeling of getting rid of things I don’t really use or need.
Just think of what you could store in the bins to make the living area look cleaner!
I’m not a big candle person. If you only want some for power outages, get rid of everything else, buy some tapers at the dollar store and keep them in one of the drawers in the three drawer unit. You could keep flashlights and batteries in there too, and maybe books/crayons/travel games in the third drawer for entertainment when you have no power.
Haha! You’re dreaming about decluttering like I’m dreaming about math!!!
Not a fan of candles in power outages, with or without children, greatly prefer battery operated flashlights and camping lanterns; those lanterns put out a shocking amount of light and that’s a great thing to prevent tripping in the dark.
LOVE the idea of restricting doll stuff to one container.
Re: the remainder candles, if you have a fireplace you could set them all in there to use for light during a power outage or any old time. With the glass doors shut, who cares what they smell like. I have one candle in the whole house so I am not the go-to on candle usage. Sorry.
I kept some holiday candles for emergency power outages, but they never worked very well. They melted unevenly if they were shaped, stuff like that. So I’d keep any holiday candles you use in holiday decorating (if you do that) and toss the rest.
I recommend finding some glass holders for your emergency candles so they can be used as safely as the pre-jarred ones you already have. I have a box in the kitchen stacked with tea lights, small emergency lights, and a few tapers plus their accompanying holders. It’s very handy.
I agree with everybody else. :)
Keep a handful of candles that you like for burning when you want to burn candles. Toss/donate the rest. I love to buy new candles, so I only have a few at a time so I can use them and then go buy others! …Except for tea candles. I buy those by the 50-pack because they’re great for around the tub….
But candles = not great for power outages with kids. They’ve got some really great battery-powered lanterns that are kid-friendly and oh-so cute. I’d go that way if you’ve got a lot of power problems.
And flashlights, of course! I have flashlights stashed all over the house in case the power goes out–the drawer at the bottom of the steps, the hall closet, and next to my bed. Think of where the easiest places to get at it would be and put one there. :)
Well done on the doll clean-up! That’s really impressive!!!
Get candles for emergencies, the decorative ones don’t really give off good light compared to candles which are meant for lighting. If you go to a camping store, you can get candles and candlelanters they fit into which might be safer than old fashioned taper candles. If you use taper candles, don’t put them in tall holders.
But really, best thing is battery, solar or wind up powered lights. I think I’ve seen lights which stay plugged in anc charging and come on automatically when the power goes out. They are nightlight sized and probably serve that function to.
I have really been enjoying all of your posts on cleaning. I’m not sure why but I find it satisying when I see a bunch of stuff leaving a house. It has also inspired me to do a little purging…my fridge and pantry have never looked so neat. (I started small because the play room and the kid’s rooms scare me!)
When we need light during a power outage is after dark—when the kids are in bed. Paul and I each use a couple of candles for reading lights.
I would keep the candles in jars for now, and then get some unscented candles meant for power outages. I wouldn’t want to be caught without candles if I needed them. But then, I am addicted to candles. Only problem is that I buy them and never use them because I have small children and am afraid of them burning themselves or the house. So they sit in a cabinet. Devoted to candles.
I gave most of my candles to Goodwill a couple years ago. I went to a few too many Partylite parties.
Keep the pumpkin one! Definitely!
And I know what you mean about the basement stuff not helping with the general state of the house, but it does do something for you mentally, and that’s worth a lot more.
That doll is so cute! What’s her name? (I might want to fix her up with someone…)
L.R.- Do I love that you want to know the doll’s name? YES I DO.
Her name is Taylor and she’s a Gotz 18-inch play doll (play doll as opposed to display doll).
Speaking as a person who burned many a candle during the great power outage of ’08, I say keep a few jar ones. I really think that even the Yankee Candles don’t seem so smelly after a long while, unless you leave and reenter the house. Especially if the scent isn’t too specific.
Good job w/ the de-cluttering – I would be throwing a party about the freed up basement space from the doll work, and it also helped a good cause.
We have a flashlight (hidden from view) in every room of the house and one by each entry. The flashlights will help us get to the basement laundry room where I have a STASH of emergency candles. And they are actually emergency candles – they burn slower. They are tapers so in their boxes they stack all nice and neat like. Also in the same cupboard is a box of strike anywhere matches. The other candles in our home get used often, but the emergency candles are just for emergencies.
(I grew up in the Bay Area. We had shoes and a set of keys for each family member by each door too. Earthquakes doncha know? Old habits are hard to break after being without power for several days after the ’89 quake.)
Your tidiness kick has really inspired me to get rid of things that I lug from house to house and put away in closet after closet, namely things I inherited from my grandmother that i know are worth “something” but I have no idea how to get money for them or what that something means.
As far as the candles, we do a bin-full method on that one. When the bin is full, we must burn them down. We don’t keep them for power outages though, just for looking pretty in places
I know! Every time I read a tidy update from you, I’ll tidy something and report back in a comment. Then you can feel like you’re tidying your house and mine! Ripple effect. I’m going upstairs now to try on some clothes to see what goes.
Aaaaaaand I’m back! I know, that took a while. I wasn’t trying on clothes all that time – I got sidetracked taking FIVE bins of kids’ clothes to a consignment sale. Then this afternoon I did get down to business in my closet. Wow, is that demoralizing. But you know what? the satisfaction of decluttering really helps with the self esteem smackdown that is trying on 40 pairs of jeans, none of which will button. So there’s another hidden benefit of the Tidy.
Brzeski- Yay, fun! I think I’m going to pitch most of our children’s books next.