The Ditching Begins (again) + Which Sewing Machine Goes?

Greetings, born-again declutterers!

We are starting the new year right here at MPB, digging through the detritus and dumping, dumping, DUMPING.  As you know, my energy for these kinds of purges isn't always there, so when it is, the best bet is to ride if for all it's worth.

I've made good progress so far and it's only Tuesday.  Remember when I set up my stereo system (after seven years without it) only I lacked audio speakers?  Well, a few weeks later I found these mini Advent speakers in the trash. They're not great but were good enough for the Burt Bacharach/Hal David Lost Horizon soundtrack I listened to endlessly.



But I learned something, readers, and I think this is an excellent exercise in ditching.  I had originally intended on selling (or donating) my stereo receiver and turntable, then decided against it.  So I set it up and listened to my records again; I bought a few new used ones at the Salvation Army.  And guess what: after about a week, I had totally stopped using it.

I have learned that for better or for worse, I am not going back to my records.  So now I can get rid of my stereo components without fear of regret.  Because, friends, isn't that the fear around decluttering --  that we'll ditch something and later wish we hadn't?

Meanwhile, for the last five years or so, we've had our computer printer in the bedroom, atop this broken cart.  Today, I moved the small Ikea table that used to sit in the corner of the living room (and supported the stereo components) into the bedroom, where it now serves as a printer stand/night table.  The cart with the broken wheel has been ditched.  Good riddance to broken furniture!





Now that the dogs are no longer sleeping in bed with us, we've moved the carpeted dog stairs into the living room, so the dogs can climb up onto the air blower (which blows hot(ish) air in winter cool(ish) air in summer) in front of the big window.  I wanted to sell those stairs (a flea market find), but Michael thinks we should hold onto them.  Alas, some compromises must be made.

I've already posted a few furniture items on Craigslist and am now facing the dilemma of which sewing machine(s) to sell.  I'm deciding between two machines in tables: the Kenmore 158.141, and the Pfaff 30.  They are both wonderful machines -- the Pfaff a powerhouse vintage straight stitcher, and the Kenmore a 1.3 amp zigzagger.  I've thought about listing them both on Craigslist and letting go of whichever one sells first -- or both!





They are very different machines.  The Pfaff is beautifully engineered and has a knee pedal, which I love, but the Kenmore is also great, and in its way, more versatile.  Both could be considered workhorses.  I'd keep them if space weren't an issue, but neither does anything that other machines I own can't do -- a concept shared by an MPB commenter a long time ago that makes a lot of sense.  The Pfaff doesn't do anything my Singer 15-91 and 201 can't do, and the Kenmore 158.141 is essentially a larger and more powerful 158.1040.

Which would you part with?

In other news, friends, I am planning a very fun adventure for those who care to join me later this month -- it's a secret for now but it involves fabric shopping in....New Jersey!   More to come so stay tuned!  (I'll also shortly be telling you about my near-psychedelic trips on herbal sleep aid Valerian.)

In closing, have you started your 2012 ditching yet?  What's your rule about keeping broken things -- or don't you have broken things where you live?  (Be honest!)

Have a great day, everybody!