western australia

A use for everything if you keep it long enough

@JudyEv (346616)

Rockingham, Australia

January 21, 2018 1:56am CST

We rarely throw anything out. Mind you, we have 18 acres and quite a large house so we’re able to find a place to store most things until we might need them. The latest stuff to be used is a couple of packs of carpet tiles. We have 11 tiles of one pattern and slightly more of another two patterns. Some were used in the first bus that we started to convert to a motor-home. The rest have been languishing in the shed. I suddenly had the bright idea that they could be used in the Music Shack to cover most of the cement floor. As you can see, it’s a bit rough and ready but still better than grey cement. The ten patterned tiles go down the middle of the floor and the other two are spread evenly on either side. No-one gets really close enough to notice that they’re not all the same and no-one cares anyway. They come to the listen to the music. The concert went off very well. It was quite a balmy night and no-one needed big jackets. Thanks for all the good wishes sent our way. We had 12 here for breakfast (two musicians and eight friends) and now they’ve all gone home and we’re left with just a bit of clearing away to do. We’ll start on that as soon as it cools off a little. But to get back to the focus of this discussion – I’m pleased we hung on to the carpet tiles. We’ll use them for each concert now. It’s just a pity we hadn’t thought to use them before.

59 people like this

60 responses

@LadyDuck (472500)

• Switzerland

21 Jan 18

It's a good idea and nicer than plain cement. I also keep everything, but now that I am going through the things of my mother, I think I will start to throw things. It is a pain for those who have to go through your stuff.

12 people like this

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@LadyDuck (472500)

• Switzerland

22 Jan 18

@JudyEv I have spent the day in my mom's apartment yesterday, my brother, my niece and her fiancee helped and during all the day we have been able to clear only one bedroom and the bath. I have to plan to start clearing my home.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

@LadyDuck I understand. Clearing out my mother's house made me much more aware of how difficult it will be for our sons if we leave too much behind.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

That's very true. I do get rid of household stuff but we always seem to find a use for bits and pieces of timber and iron if we keep them.

4 people like this

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (318848)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

21 Jan 18

That's a good use for them. I'm glad the concert went off well.

7 people like this

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (318848)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

22 Jan 18

@JudyEv Always good.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

Thanks. We've had nothing but good remarks so that's good.

5 people like this

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Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44998)

• Preston, England

21 Jan 18

I tend to keep things - I have lots of old computer lead, plugs and connectors - occassionally I find something they fit

5 people like this

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Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44998)

• Preston, England

22 Jan 18

@JudyEv it is always for the best. People have told me to get rid of some junk right before i've found a use for it

3 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

I had Vince go through our old leads, etc and we have thrown out some but we still have at least one drawer full of computer 'bits' that might be needed one day.

4 people like this

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@Juliaacv (52333)

• Canada

21 Jan 18

I love making what is old new. This looks great and I'm sure that it cut down on the echo that cement has a tendency of creating.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

We've had the tiles for ages. It a bit of a pity that we didn't think of doing this before - but better late than never I guess.

1 person likes this

@Morleyhunt (21744)

• Canada

21 Jan 18

I've found uses of things I've hung onto. With the long distance move I am purging. I've sold a few things...I've donated several large boxes and bags....hubby has noted heavier trash bags and fuller recycling bins.

7 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

Once we give up the concerts we'll have a heap of stuff to repurpose too. I try to keep household things under control.

2 people like this

@JohnRoberts (109846)

• Los Angeles, California

21 Jan 18

The carpet tiles will make it better for feet as being on hard concrete isn't good.

5 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

It certainly feels much better underfoot.

1 person likes this

@allknowing (141046)

• India

21 Jan 18

I too store things for a 'just in case' situation. They are not in the main house but in the other one. Did those guests who spent the night with you help you with chores?

3 people like this

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@allknowing (141046)

• India

22 Jan 18

@JudyEv That is very nice as hosting is not an easy task specially art this age.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

The three couples who stayed apart from the musicians are old friends and are very helpful. They also know where things are kept if I was busy and not able to be looking after them.

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@Letranknight2015 (52231)

• Philippines

21 Jan 18

Well, if the concert went well I hope you can put the carpet next time.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

We'll use the carpet each time now as it doesn't take long to put down.

1 person likes this

@jstory07 (141885)

• Roseburg, Oregon

21 Jan 18

I think the carpet looks nice.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

Thanks. It's a big improvement on the cement.

1 person likes this

@marlina (154129)

• Canada

22 Jan 18

You made good use of those carpets. I am the opposite, I do not like to keep things.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Jan 18

I wouldn't say we hoard things but if we think it might be useful we tend to keep stuff.

@RasmaSandra (82591)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

21 Jan 18

A great idea and looks good.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

Thanks. We were quite happy with it.

1 person likes this

@thelme55 (77378)

• Germany

22 Jan 18

I recycle almost everything and store the unused things before I get ideas what to do with them. That looks indeed good and it is better than just a cement floor.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

It's surprising what you can eventually make use of if you keep things for a while.

2 people like this

@thelme55 (77378)

• Germany

22 Jan 18

@JudyEv yes, it is indeed surprising.

1 person likes this

@Hannihar (130213)

• Israel

21 Jan 18

I am glad you found use for them. You never know when you will find use for things.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

We never throw anything without thinking really hard about whether it will come in handy at some stage.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

@Hannihar It makes it easier for us as we have plenty of room compared to some.

1 person likes this

@Hannihar (130213)

• Israel

22 Jan 18

@JudyEv That is a good way to look at it Judy.

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@responsiveme (22926)

• India

21 Jan 18

Very true and it does look prettier.another way I saw was breaking up the tiles when not enough and using the boys and pieces like a mosaic in cemented floors. Good to know concert went well

4 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

Yes, we had to come up with some way of mixing them so they didn't look too strange.

1 person likes this

@GardenGerty (162252)

• United States

21 Jan 18

I think it would make things a bit cozier, and possibly even help the acoustics. The tiles down the middle look like an aisle in an auditorium.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

I think it would help the acoustics too. We have two old blankets hanging down the back wall then shade-cloth on all the walls to try to help with the sound.

2 people like this

@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

21 Jan 18

That looks pretty good. Will you leave them in place, or put them away until the next concert?

3 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

They're not stuck down so we've stored them away for the next concert. The rain can blow in the front of the Shack and it fills with leaves and grit between times.

3 people like this

@moffittjc (122692)

• Gainesville, Florida

22 Jan 18

The carpet tiles look good covering the bare concrete. And besides, bare concrete can feel quite cold on bare feet...not that you musicians are playing barefooted or anything! lol

3 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

We have had a couple who played barefoot but certainly the tiles feel much nicer underfoot.

2 people like this

@andriaperry (118286)

• Anniston, Alabama

22 Jan 18

I have a shed filled with tiles, all types os tiles. left overs from the rental houses, they do come in handy when someone moves.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

I can imagine they would. We haven't fixed these down permanently. We'll just put them down before each concert.

1 person likes this

@MarymargII (12422)

• Toronto, Ontario

22 Jan 18

It does look cozy and i like the pattern you created- :)

2 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Jan 18

Thanks. The tiles fit nicely against each other as they are not glued down at all. We might try for a better pattern next time.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Jan 18

@MarymargII There are some items we haven't even been able to give away!

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@MarymargII (12422)

• Toronto, Ontario

24 Jan 18

@JudyEv I had to downsize when we moved and it hurt to have to get rid of things we purchased and still liked- and it was surprising how little people are willing to pay for items.

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@misunderstood_zombie (8142)

• United States

21 Jan 18

@JudyEv I'm so happy that your concert was a success. I thought the carpet looked perfect, and it's great there is so much room to store such things.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (346616)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

We have cleaned out our big shed as there was some stuff in it that we really couldn't see ourselves ever using but now there is room to store things better. For instance the tiles were on top of a cupboard but now that we'll be using them from time to time we've stored them at a more convenient height.

2 people like this