2020 - banish the clutter

savvy

TC77 said:

1852 changed router as problems with internet, hasn't sorted problems but tidied wires and extension lead that is a better fit.

Feeling abit overwhelmed by everything everywhere and not sure where to start...found box of cutlery in spare bedroom including 3 pairs of salad servers (non in the kitchen) - going to wash all and set some aside for DD1

Ah I have a number of unused routers here, never know what to do with them! And found 4 strimmers in the shed the other day - literally no idea how this has happened, I swear to God people must bring things here and sneakily leave them - well I know exes do lol, found an old remote control plane that I bought one ex, he flew it into a kerb on it's maiden flight and never fixed!!

basketcase

TC77 said:

Basketcase - thank you, and I may do.

DD1 has been complaining about eye pain for months - didn't know if linked to her anxiety, her eyelids are drooping abit so she's been saying I need to sort!. Anyway today went with her to hospital and she came out with 3 sets of eye drops and going back in 6 weeks (v scratched cornea, v dry eyes and lumpy inflamed inside of eyelids) - previously been to A&E (gave her nasal spray) eye A &E referred her to headache dept and optician and optician minor eye conditions. She used eyedrops and can see so wonderful , and she's less depressed. Counting as a huge worry declutter - something wrong with her that can be solved!  Sorry for rant but realise been a real stress and I can now focus on me abit! 1846

1847-1849 jewellery and top  in CS bag

1850- 1851 old socks cut up and in draught excluder

my washing machine is broken - part ordered but so glad I kept a stash of underwear which was going to be recycled - very useful for the time being

Hi TC77 - rant away!  And feel free to PM.

I'm so glad that something good has happened for your daughter and, by extension, you.  It's not just that it's hard to watch one of your children struggling; if you're anything like me it's telling yourself not to feel guilty and selfish for wishing you didn't feel so drained all the time.  The luxury of not only being glad they're feeling better but also that you can, as you say, have a bit of me time to recharge the batteries. 

I think your worry clutter should count as double points for anything you clutter for the whole of October.  (But we'll have to ask Mrs SD!)

I've got a package I need to declutter before the Post Office closes, so must dash.

TC77

Nan, thanks for the hugs and basket case - thanks again, and if I work out how to pm will do this. Agree with ailz about anesthetic  taking along time to recover - hugs to you and your daughter! and anyone else in need.

Been cleaning our large cupboard in kitchen ood food, crushed alumimum tray,and 4 glasses (given to me over 30 years ago by parents when first set up home, taken out of box 5 years ago and never used - better quality than ones I have but like more) now in CS bag along with tablet holder 1853 - 1862.

reminding myself that charities are really in need, and lots of people so should be giving away my large surplus supplies (will no doubt still have small/medium stockpiles)!

garden_girl_2

TC77, my friend has had problems with his eyes. He was rather overweight and was having a lot of pain at night, esp laying on side, with eyes into pillows. This has caused a big excess of skin on eyelids. He has had drops for over 6 months and they are doing the job, slowly tightening up the skin. He had check up last week and has to keep using them. It will take a while for your daughter, but it will get better. 
I have dry eyes so using my drops on prescription, (no presevative in, as were stinging when using shop bought) everyday, at least x2, sometimes x3 if bad. Its crazy, when your eyes stream, but the tear ducts are blocked, thus making dry eyes. Hope your daughter soon starts to feel better.Hugs x

Foofoopuppy

Had two lovely weeks of work with Mr Puppy, decluttered a lot of stress that had built up and it was lovely to be able to spend some quality time together! 
Managed to do some more decluttering as well, finally put together some flat pack furniture and got rid of the packaging, previously it had been in the living room just taking up space. Also chucked some floating shelves that the previous owners had installed and moved our bookshelves there, so that now looks much nicer. It's also cleared up a large space in the living room where the bookshelves were, and the plan was to move the computer desk into that space, but alas it is about 3 cm too big to fit because of the radiator being in the way! So need a rethink as to what will go there. 
Another bag when to the CS with some stuff that I have accepted I simply do not use - although I feel like I should use it, I don't, and need to accept that there are certain things that I simply do not do no matter how much society/acquaintances feel like I should.
I have not managed to declutter any weight as of yet, but have got a solid gym routine going and so far 🤞 have kept to it. Now I just need to cut down how much I eat - particularly sweet snacks! If I don't bring any in the house I can't eat them, so that is my current plan.
Quite a long post, but the house is starting to feel more like home now we have been in it for a few months now, just need to make sure *stuff* doesn't build up again.
I've also enjoyed reading everyone's posts, and hope your daughters are ok TC77 and basketcase xx

retiredinfrance

I echo Mrs. Foofoopuppy's comments about enjoying all these posts. I'm sitting here watching the rain,and having a good read. Big hugs for everyone and especially for anyone with "troubles" I feel so grateful that all the family are well, we have a warm house and food in the kitchen.
1 pile of used masks and gloves from car floor to bin.
Total now 68
Went into a charity shop ,saw a nice dress, realised I have one much the same, not worn for three seasons. Came home and added the three euros to the treats jar. 
Thanks Mrs. SD, for you lovely comments,much appreciated. I now call it the treats jar ,after your reply. 
I go to a farish away market every so often for a  special bread for DH, hence the charity shop.I also like going because it is a trip out and outside. I only go to the supermarket once a week now and can top up at the market. 
Keep safe everyone.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. WRITE AND USE “TO DO LISTS” - MINIMUM 30 MINUTE BURSTS OF ACTIVITY AT LEAST TWICE EVERY DAY

2. KITCHEN WILL BE LEFT CLEAN & TIDY EVERY NIGHT

3. I WILL ENDEAVOUR TO BE NICE TO EVERYONE & TRY TO SEE THE FUNNY OR PECULIAR SIDE TO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
4. DAY TO DAY DECLUTTERING WILL CONTINUE

Saturday started overcast & rainy. However DH & I managed to do some work in the garden in between downpours 🥳 We dug up the marigolds, DH dismantled the large tripod of willow branches which had been used as tomato plants support, I harvested 87g of rhubarb & then we attacked the olive tree 😉😂 I was up the ladder pruning & DH was making sure the ladder stayed put & stripping olives off the branches (DSis joined us for about 20 minutes) We have done about a third of the tree & have harvested 2.075kg of olives. The only reason we stopped - the sky went black & the heavens opened. It has now been raining on & off for 7 hours ☹️ There is now a fairly large stack of olive tree branches which will be used in the new raised bed when it is built 😉

I now have 5 pairs of hand warmers for the homeless & have also knitted one pair for DSis - had to tweak the pattern as she has fairly small hands. 

Dinner was breaded fish, oven chips, roasted hg tomatoes & garden peas.

1804 - 1806 Glass bottle, kitchen recycling, drinks cans - Recycled
1807 Kitchen detritus - Binned

The weather has a lot to answer for newlywed 😉 Rather disheartening when it precludes you from following your plans 🙁 Your oven cleaning exploits have reminded me that I need to clean my oven ASAP 🙁

Wow, ailz95 great work 👏 - I especially like the regular donation to cs 😇 You must have oodles of space in your kitchen now 😉 By the way I notice from your signature that you have gone through 1500 items out so one Gold Star ⭐️ is on it’s way 🙂

Great work EnergyShifter 👏

Excellent work villagelife 👏

You have doggies digging up your garden savvy, we have squirrels & foxes 😔 Re the old motorbike on the drive, can you freegle it or maybe e-beast it for a few quid (for parts) - buyer collects? Please be careful savvy! Can you sell the excess strimmers & the broken remote control plane - start a fund for repairing the drive?

Good work Happy_Kitties 👏

TC77, so pleased to hear that DD1 is doing better 🙂 You have been very supportive & I really do hope that you can focus on taking care of yourself 🤞**You should count the decluttering of stress as at least FIVE 😉**. Clutter can be overwhelming, but the not knowing where to start can be debilitating ☹️ I find the best thing to do is just start anywhere - set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes & just have at it. If you have the time in your schedule you can do this a couple of times a day. It never ceases to amaze me how effective this can be 😉 Good luck 🤞Please ignore the bit **....** I fully approve of basketcase’s suggestion - DOUBLE POINTS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DECLUTTER IN OCTOBER - you have my blessing 😂 I sound like a priest 😂  TC77, small/medium stockpiles of items are sensible - you are already being generous to cs 😇

Thanks bit_by_bit 👏 If truth be known, I am quite enjoying knitting something other than scarves 😄 Very pleased that you had such a lovely holiday 🙂 Also one Gold Star ⭐️ for your DH - motorbikes take up a lot of room 😉 Hope you enjoy your DD’s visit 🙂

That did make me smile 😊 nannywindow ☺️ - Fred’s flour graders - such lovely adverts 👏 - thanks for the memories 👏  Sounds like enough flour for a good few loaves, cakes, biscuits & pies 😉

Hugs to your DD, basketcase 🤗 & please have a Gold Star ⭐️ for such a thoughtful & kind post.

garden_girl_2, thank you for sharing 👏 another thoughtful & kind post that merits a Gold Star ⭐️ 

Nice to see you Foofoopuppy 👏 I like reading long posts - it makes me feel like I have friends 😉 I think it was on last year’s Decluttering Thread where we had a long discussion about ‘aspirational items’ being decluttered & how hard it was to let those items go 😉 
It sounds like you have bitten the bullet & you should be very proud of yourself - one Gold Star ⭐️  + all that decluttering merits a 2nd Gold Star ⭐️ & to cap it off a 3rd Gold Star ⭐️ 

for a solid gym routine 👏 I have put on quite a few lbs, so perhaps you & I can cheer each other on - all food is my downfall - sweet & junk savoury 😔😔 

You are welcome retiredinfrance 🙂 Calling it a ‘Treats Jar’ can conjure up all sorts of thoughts - a visit to England, a day trip, buying something you have always wanted but are not prepared to use your usual budget - the possibilities are endless 😉🙂 

Thank you all for your posts 👏 - brightens up my days no end 😊

BE KIND. STAY SAFE. BREAK THE CHAIN. SAVE LIVES.

MrsSD ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️   🏅

1807/2020

villagelife

A few bits gone
1261-1262 more socks gone
1263 moisturiser sample used up and binned.
1264 some broad bean seeds very OOD moved to greenhouse and planted. Can start in October so gave it a go.
1265  more bits of glass from the garden binned.
1266 stained table mat
More have come into house for DS1 new fkat. These are in boxes in the dining room along with bits I no longer need that he could use. 

Chocolatedrinker

Hi, back again, with more decluttering done:
2917 - shower gel uu and recycled
2918 -  dead pen binned
2919 - old school cardigan to ragging
2920 - 1 school skirts to uniform bank
2922 - 2976 items to clothing bank
2977 - 8 toys to charity shop
2979 - 2978 - magazines recycled
2979 - 2995 books to charity shop
2996 - 3002 6 inches recycling
3003 - 3008 - boxes recycled
3009 - 10 mug to friend & packaging
3011 - 12 toiletries recycled
3013 - handful of receipts recycled.

stellata

Binned a small bin full of old files and other cardboard into recycling. Made a nice casserole out of the freezer. Tried on some winter things out of my wardrobe, sadly many are too small now I'm determined not to buy any clothes though until I've lost some weight. Had a marathon ironing session and cleared the whole pile, not really decluttering but at least they're in the drawer now not sat on the sofa. It's raining but doggy has to go for a walk so out we go