2021 MISSION DECLUTTER and CLEAN

StickyTheStickInsect

I hadn’t realised I’d be away for more than 7 weeks, so it’s taken me two days to catch up on reading all the posts I’d missed.

Thank you @Mrs_Salad_Dodger and @moneyonmymindsam for your kind words for returning to work, it hasn’t been too bad, although it’s wiping me out for the rest of the week. I’m on reduced hours now until the end of term and then I’ll see what September brings health wise.

I’ve tried to keep track on what I’ve decluttered and may have missed a couple of bits but I think I’m fairly happy with my progress. 

I’ve sent 2 bags to fabric recycling and 1 bag to shoe recycling. 

1 bag of school uniform to a lady locally who has set up a second hand school uniform service. 

1.5 bags to the charity shop (and I managed on that occasion not to buy anything !). 

16 bags in total via our local freebies site but that did include some big things as well, as despite telling DH for months that the back wall of stuff in our shed was due for imminent collapse and we should deal with it, my warnings were ignored. So the Friday before the bank holiday, it collapsed, narrowly missing the smallest DS who was getting his balance bike out to ride it and promoted an entire emptying of the shed and sorting through it all. It took the whole weekend 🤦‍♀️ So out went a strimmer, a garden vac, a kids quad bike, some odds and sods, paint, tools and garden bits. I also had a bit of a sort out in the kitchen and the George grill and a slicer went the same way. Plus day to day sorting has yielded another couple of bags of random things.

Which brings me to a total of 40 bags for the year. We are having a rubbish year paying off debt and I think the decluttering helps me feel like we are least keeping on top of something.

I hope everyone is doing well and hugs to all those that need it, I’m sorry to read that there are some tough times being had. 

Keep safe xxx

vulpix

 Gave you a run for your money today Mrs SD, I was up at 2am. I was out watering my pots at 5am.

 Work today then a very long evening ahead, ferrying stuff to the new house.

 Have a lovely day everyone.

 Vx

EnergyShifter

EnergyShifter said:

717 & 8   2 x items returned by post 
719.        Dead backpack 
720.        Medicines drawer sorted 
721.        cxd Amazon Prime

722. email to complain about dead rucksack - not holding my breath but if you don't ask.... 
723. Cxd Anxiety App - not worth the subscription fee - have found free resources which are as good
724 & 5 - 2x morning routine - days 8 & 9 /40 

oceanspirit

Thank you for my star, Mrs SD.

1 item on Monday
16 items on Tuesday

Hoping OH will take a COD out in the next few days.  He thinks he will use it at his place for now.

Floss

vulpix said:

 Floss I don't know if I am coming or going. This time last week my solicitor was concerned that he had had no contact with their solicitor. The Estate Agent had to chase that up. When I met the buyers I asked them if they wanted to complete before the end of June and they said no,that they were not in a rush. The needing a central heating check and date of next Monday to complete was sprung on us yesterday afternoon. They say that they are not able to complete on any other day but Monday. 

Sounds like they need your solicitor to have a word with theirs as to the reality of life - you are bending over backwards to suit them already.

Not being able to complete any day but a Monday is a bit unbelievable - I wonder if they think completion means they have to move that day? They may find that if the money doesn't transfer to you in time that they cannot complete anyway 🤔

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Mrs_Salad_Dodger said:

1. KITCHEN WILL CONTINUE TO BE LEFT CLEAN & TIDY EVERY NIGHT

2. JUST DO ONE THING EVERY DAY (courtesy of bit_by_bit) OTHER THAN DAY TO DAY CLEANING & DECLUTTERING 

3. ONCE A WEEK LEAVE THE HOUSE (e.g. Go into city centre for bank & butcher;  go to local town for cs dropping off or buying; visit the pub with DH 😉

A combination of CBAd & worry meant I didn’t post yesterday ☹️ Weather wise Tuesday was a mainly overcast day but no real rain. 

DH told me 4 things yesterday but the only one I can remember is that the results of his 24 hour heart monitor came through - he does have a problem with his heart (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) - it wasn’t just his new Smart watch playing up ☹️ He is being referred to a consultant but insists that it is only a minor problem - may have to have pills or a one off electric shock. He is trying to convince me it is not a problem but I am really worried 😟 I just asked what the other 2 things were & DH can only remember one - the bike is booked in for repair in 4 weeks. DH did a top up Tuesday sm trip. My day was spent reading & knitting & worrying. Dinner was cheesy pasta cooked by DH. I did do the wudupa 😉
P.S. just remembered the 3rd thing - DH ordered a new strimmer with a battery & plastic blades - the blades & battery cost £60 making the strimmer FREE - the joy of *m*z** midsummer sale 🥳 Also remembered the 4th thing - both wormeries were completely waterlogged & we appear to have lost at least a third of the worms 😭- however DH has sorted it all out & we will now check daily.
Wednesday is a bright sunny day - fluffy white clouds & warmth 🙂 Strimmer has arrived 🙂👏 DH had already put together 2 sides of the new raised bed & today started to put together the other 2 sides but ran out of screws (now ordered & should arrive tomorrow) We have tested the J*ws*ns bag to make sure it is porous & can be used as a lining - it is 🥳 DH got a text to say the Clinic will be in touch to arrange a visit to the heart consultant. DH has also booked us a couple of days away in the 1st week of July - Round Britain Rallying in Yorkshire & Lincolnshire 🙂

1211 - 1218 Kitchen recycling, 2 newspapers, 2 magazines, drinks cans, large cardboard box, cardboard packaging - recycled 
1219 - 1220 Kitchen detritus, office detritus - binned

Life is good 3secondmemory 🙂 You are enjoying planning your cruise, you are on a roll with your decluttering & the sun will return 😉 and you can sing even though I have grown to rather dislike that particular ‘ear worm’ song 😂 Keep up the good work - it is invigorating you 👏 Are you sure - I thought Cartagena was in Colombia 🤣

TC77 your swimming is building fitness & muscles - I am very impressed 👏

Vulpix, you are doing sooooo well 👏 A great incentive to lose weight 😉 rather than my vague ‘I know I need to lose weight but ….’😔 I have a feeling that your buyers are being bullied by their solicitors - they appear to have been very lazy in their duties & now want their money 😡 Sorry you are so stressed 😥 but your planning & foresight + family assistance means that you are in a better position than most of us who leave things to the last minute 😱 Now don’t you go exhausting yourself vulpix (wagging finger emoji) you need to be bright & fresh to enjoy the wedding 🙂

Nice to see you daisy_1571 👋 That is an impressive amount of paperwork disposed of 👏 I really like the comment about “recognising no longer helpful behaviours” a very succinct description of behaviours that have become habit & that we have to consciously work at changing 👏 One Gold Star ⭐️ on its way

Wow mothernerd 🤩 you have been really busy 👏 You must be exhausted 😩 It sounds like the garden is coming together nicely. I will do a rain dance later 😉 about 8:00 p.m. as I wouldn’t want to hold up your progress 😉😉


Nice to see you back StickyTheStickInsect 👋 You must be quite pleased that work has not been as awful as you imagined although being wiped out for the rest of the week must be frustrating ☹️ However 40 bags of stuff gone in 6 months is a marvellous testament to all your hard work 👏 & has earned you 2 Gold Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ As to the shed collapsing thank heavens there were no injuries 🙂 & you managed to dispose of even more clutter 👏 Hopefully your success in decluttering will rollover to success in reducing your debt 🤞

Need to go for a while as need to charge my iPad 😱

MrsSD   🏅 🏅 🏅 🏅🏅 🏅 🏅     ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Decluttering Target: 2021    1220/2021

2021 Savings Pot:  £164.80 to end of June

3secondmemory

🎼 it’s all coming back to me now 🎶 

you won’t believe this Mrs SD but I’ve fallen into this same geographical sinkhole more than once in my life and it all goes back to around the mid 1980s and a film with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, called romancing the stone 😂😂😂

I know lots of ‘stuff’ but I can’t connect much of it! 😂😂 or remember it! But, i’m constantly re-discovering stuff and it’s just as interesting the second time round, or the third or fourth 😂

Just plodding today. A very confusing letter about my psychiatrist appointment, which actually happens to be on Friday. I thought it was today. Anyway this letter was about something I should’ve opted into but apparently didn’t, largely because I didn’t know I had to. Cue too many phone calls and executive paralysis. I’m unlikely to get much done now before Friday.

 My base level of operation is to manage one task a day – anything else is a bonus. I set the bar low

vulpix

 Managed to get through by grazing most of the day on carbs. I actually was productive at work and it all makes sense now. 

 Thank you all for your support. I have got over myself and am just going with the flow. My solicitor did try to change the date to at least Tuesday but it isn't worth the hastle. It will be done. We Have all day Sunday to just stick at it. Only 2 beds, a chest of drawers, sofa, arm chair, kitchen table, clothes rail, fridge and freezer, TV and a garden full of pots left to take. Thank goodness I had packed everything apart from the clothes on the clothes rail. I am going to the new house tomorrow whilst Mr V is at work to clear some space for the big items to come in.

 I am sorry to hear about Mr SD. It is a shock for you, both of you. Thank goodness for our health system. I have every confidence that they will have him fettled. Doesn't stop you fretting Mrs SD but they do seem to be on the ball with an appointment which is encouraging. xxxx

 Early night for me Vx

TC77

Mrs SD, sorry to hear about Mr SD, although good he and you know and can get the help needed.
Worked late as managed to make some important calls and emails to move home stuff along but no physical clutter dealt with (except washing away).
Counting as 5 although more things moved along but so multi stage that feels v  minor. Did look at some folders - some blank paper, graph and squared paper brought back from my dad's - must have been from when kids little and was for drawing etc - must date from the 70s - good quality paper but how can I have half century scrap paper!!!!
Hoping the urge to do a 27 fling boogie or fill bags of things will take over at some point! 

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. KITCHEN WILL CONTINUE TO BE LEFT CLEAN & TIDY EVERY NIGHT

2. JUST DO ONE THING EVERY DAY (courtesy of bit_by_bit) OTHER THAN DAY TO DAY CLEANING & DECLUTTERING 

3. ONCE A WEEK LEAVE THE HOUSE (e.g. Go into city centre for bank & butcher;  go to local town for cs dropping off or buying; visit the pub with DH 😉

Stayed sunny & warm but the temperature plunged late evening. DH put the whole raised bed together with very long screws - to make it easier to put together (when the correct screws arrive) when it is taken into the back garden in 2 halves. Dinner was chicken fried in butter, boiled potatoes, peas & sweetcorn. Wudupa.

1221 - 1223 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, cardboard box - recycled 
1224 Kitchen detritus - binned

Excellent work D123456789 👏 What a lucky little girl 🙂 I can imagine LO not wanting to leave her room at all 😉

I quite agree Floss but I think the keys are to let in the heating engineer. As to completion hopefully their solicitor has explained that the money needs to be paid before they can move in 🤞

Lovely to see you Gem-gem 👋 Great decluttering & must have been soooo nice to see friends & family 🙂 I am very impressed with how MSE you have been 👏 you have saved a small fortune on postage 👏🙂

Great work GrannyKate 👏 especially the £36 staying in your account 🙂👏

Good work ilovetea 👏 an eclectic mix of items 👏 You are well over 50% to your target so one Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way 🙂

Oh dear newlywed ☹️ but hopefully all the cleaning, storing items in jars & tidying everything away each night will result in your unwanted visitors packing their little bags & moving to pastures new 🤞

Good work EnergyShifter 👏

You are welcome oceanspirit  - good work on the decluttering 👏

I remember that film well 3secondmemory 🙂 a rather gentler film than the very violent movies of the ‘70s.  My problem is I forget specifics - I have a vague notion of lots of info but cannot readily call it to mind ☹️ You have reminded me that I need to sit down with DH & opt OUT of the sell off of NHS data - my medical history is NOT for sale & is no-one else’s business but mine & the NHS. I am so angry 😤 that our s****y government even think that this is acceptable 👿 Sorry for the rant. At least you get one thing done each day 👏👏

Good for you vulpix 🙂 I have calmed down a bit - just a low level worry until he gets his appointment. Our NHS is wonderful & think how great it would be if they paid the nurses & doctors properly 🙂

TC77, there is nothing minor about moving things along 🙂 Nothing wrong with 50 year old scrap paper - you are helping to save the planet 😉

MrsSD   🏅 🏅 🏅🏅 🏅 🏅 🏅     ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Decluttering Target: 2021    1224/2021

2021 Savings Pot:  £164.80 to end of June