2021 MISSION DECLUTTER and CLEAN

florianatwobob

accidentalglixch said:

Sorry I've not been on much. 
I returned to work (its work at home but was crazy when I logged back in for 2 weeks) and was getting used to doing a full week after moving in and then on Monday we brought our first puppy home. We weren't quite prepared for his arrival but we've done okay. 

Not much tidying or decluttering has been going on. Puppy is very anxious and hard to do anything since we can't take our eyes off if him for more than a second before he is ripping wallpaper or demolishing the wood on our bed or peeing places he knows he should be. 

We've gotten rid of 10 it's before puppies arrival and normal bins/recycling. 

Here's a picture of our lovable terror, Remi! 

Oh look at that face! Enjoy those needle sharp chewy puppy teeth!

mothernerd

Finally reunited with my notebook so a catch up
Wednesday
Had my first CBT session via Teams. I had left a message withdrawing from the course -consulted my tech expert and she had done a similar course and had logging problems. I only have to look at a computer for it to go wrong. Hadn't had a call back after my message and the pre-session questionnaire arrived in my inbox. Was feeling more confident and thought I would at least try. It worked and I quite enjoyed it. It's specifically aimed at people with long term health conditions. Health problems can lead to depression (especially if you're in pain or dwelling on all the things you used to be able to do) and people with depression are also predisposed to suffer long term health issues. So will be checking in again next week.

Went to my house - 1 Paper sack, 2 plastic bottle sacks and 4 rubbish bags out. Brought the bin back and emptied 4 sacks of bottles into it. Later in the afternoon another 5 rubbish bags went out (I was working upstairs and just threw them down as they were filled then picked them all up from the bottom of the stairs. An old quilt was binned, a good single quilt went on the donate pile. DS3 said his keyboard could go, it had been stored on top of a wardrobe for quite a while so overnight he cleaned each individual key.

Asked them to look at clothes (in particular cosplay outfits). I donated a dress, a silk blouse and a linen skirt all nearly new. Love the dress but it's 6 years since it fit me and I can't keep things forever in the hope that one day I can wear them again. Beloved added a onesie and 3 brand new t-shirts (they sent the wrong size, she got a refund and was told not to bother sending them back). Ds3 donated 2 pairs of black trousers which are now too small (he says no one had better die). Also a bag of accessories including a beautiful black broderie anglais parasol and a proper leather belt and 4 cosplay outfits with lots of pieces. (still three racks of them left, sigh)

DS3 and I folded all the dry bedding (he's 6'7" and probably the same across with his arms out - duvets are his slaves), then refilled the airer, the radiator and the line (raining but at least it got it out of the kitchen). Beloved has been running the dryer. 3 more wash loads done. put a couple of sheets over the doors. Think that's 40, running total 578/2021.

Thursday
One paper sack, one rubbish sack, one wash load, one dishwasher load (lots of pots with stubborn stains so have been soaking in buckets in a strong detergent solution overnight , then brief scrub and then a dishwasher run. 59 items donated to the food bank for my reverse advent calendar (I had said 58 but 59 on a recount - this is not included in my total). Posted a card for mum and sent my cousin's card + letter.

Not sure about the rest of the afternoon. I drew a rough plan of the large bedroom and tried measuring spaces and items of furniture but still too much stuff in the way. Going to try a new tactic, box or bag items and label them (today I've given the task of bagging cosplay outfits to DS3 but will wait to see if he does it). I think I started on dismantling the broken bed (hoping it will produce the bits needed to mend Beloved's bed (slats moving around too much) or help with 'making' DS3 a bed from one of the wardrobes. I had a look round the hospice shop -several good beds, some bookshelves and a bedding box but don't want to buy a bed until I'm sure it will fit - the space may be an inch too narrow (but measuring by poking the tape between rows of clothes and behind wardrobes. I took my toolbox and the small four drawer unit that holds screws, nuts and bolts etc - may be some bolts that will fix the slats in place). So that's 8 but awarding myself 10 as expended a lot of effort on tasks that are not yet completed (planning and preparation). 588/2021 + 59 reverse advent calendar.

Friday
Was asked not to go to my house as Beloved was ill (she was ill on Thursday but wasn't told until after we had been in contact). Messaged DS3 with instructions - most important being bring filled charity bags out of the room before he went to sleep (he hadn't gone to bed at 4 am when I was waking up).

Moved all the bedding out of a cupboard in mum's room and got out all the tins at the bottom - couldn't get at it when I stock-checked the tins. Moved many bags of tins into my room for sorting. I'm taking anything mum won't use (mainly tinned beans and pulses and onion soup - not quite as good as mine, but an acceptable substitute since chopping onions became difficult and fine slicing is a pain) and some will go to the food bank. Will then restack and list the contents of each layer

Stocked up the kitchen cupboards. Wrapped a couple of presents and wrote the labels for the ones that are incomplete. Mum had done as asked and written a shopping list. I was able to supply more than half the items from my stores - 3 medical and had done that last month. New strategy eliminate. Bag or box and label. Contain/ sort/ minimise (DS3 saves little sauce pots that come with some of his meals but they're spread over half a shelf of useful space - so need to put the into small container). Like with like. 17, running total 605/2021.

To be continued (just seen the time and need 2 hours after laptop switch off before I can sleep).

TC77

@balabooberlies...absolutely, I think totally fine to change numbers and also size of bags....decluttering rigid targets, and being hard on ourselves is all part of it, and being kind to ourselves. If lots going on and struggling I count small things and adjust it to what's going on.
Managed to return faulty item bought by DD2 in the summer.. she tried to take back but didn't have the receipt, I tried to explaining she didn't have the receipt, and then found the receipt (she'd given it to me for safe keeping).;2216
2 old diaries out 2217-18
abit of filing, old papers out, and bank issue dealt with 2219 - 2221
chest of drawers and bag of food to DD1 2222 - 2223

balabooberlies

Thank you all

So 20 bags before end of year.  

Yikes !

  

vulpix

 Floriana LOVE him.

 Bala I am glad that you have been as kind to yourself as you are to others.

 I was aiming for 365 items out at the start of the year. As we unexpectedly moved house I sailed past double and then I was aiming for triple. I don't think it is achievable now... but after Christmas I will do another pass on my clothes as it is hard to get everything comfortably in the wardrobe atm.

 Little to report other than Christmas decorations are up in the sitting room. Today before DD1 and BF visit I need to address the the kitchen! Many boxes need to be organised and returned to the pantry of doom. I will put some decorations up in the kitchen too.

 I am feeling a little uncomfortable as several things have come in to the house recently. A sisal rug for the kitchen, new pasta dishes and side plates, a new shower curtain, clothes, and dare I say it some Christmas decorations. I can live with the rug and shower curtain purchase but I certainly don't need clothes, shoes or Christmas decorations. Oh I have also bought some baby clothes from the chazzer for the mother and baby unit Liverpool - Anne mentioned.

 839. 2 large cushions sold
 845. 6 pasta dishes given to DD2
 851. 6 side plates chazzer

 Also to the chazzer, some lost property from work ,washed first.

 Pounds gained £1,793

 Vx

mothernerd

I have puppy envy.

TC77

Bala, could you make it 20 items? 
@accidentalglixch love the puppy

Realise (although I have thought before) I have an empty trunk that I must use for storage - its just not in its resting place so didn't want to fill up and then have to empty to move, and also a vintage suitcase which has a few xmas things and a few papers - think apart from one big box I will put all small boxes of decorations in this case. Will be in the new year but a plan.
Have a bid on an item for sale - other things being taken to CS today.
Abit warmer today so hoping to declutter some bulbs into the garden.
Hope everyone is staying safe 

Thrifty_Taylor

Just decluttered the last bulbs to be planted too, @TC77. Black tulips & double narcissus in yellow & white.
Went for a walk to the village & delivered & posted Christmas cards, then came home & decluttered a piece of birthday cake 😋 if we all have some after tea, it should be used up too!
Now those jobs are done I'm feeling less stressed at the mountain of things still to do ☺️

florianatwobob

Successfully decluttered 6 eggs into 8 muffin tin sized Yorkshire puddings and 2 8 inch tin sized yorkies. 

Gluten free baking not being like ‘normal baking’ means it needs some extra egg help to rise properly. These ones will be going in the freezer for Xmas. The others, once cooled will be off into the freezer to resurface later this week for a pork and apple casserole with apples rescued from a team get together.  

Gem-gem

balabooberlies said:

Mrs SD, when my DH first received his Oyster 60+ he spent many a day travelling on the tube and train lines for a fun cheap day out. He would go to the ends of all the tube lines. When going to football, instead of watching his own team's away matches he would travel to different football grounds within his Oyster card. He has been to Chesham a couple of times!! 

Last year, one of his friend turn 60, so they both now travel together. Last week they went to Crystal Palace. Next week, they are off to Oxford - £15 return for both of them (£7.50 each) and of course, pay nothing to get to London. 

His challenge at the moment is to visit all the Wetherspoons in Greater London. So, last week, when I had a morning meeting near Penge he met me and we stopped at the 'spoons' for lunch. 

Gem-Gem

I LOVE this......making something out of something.  Think of all those experiences.  I have always wanted to visit each town on the tube map but not there yet !  I am a Londoner that only knows my tiny little bit.

I am cheering your husband on....

bala

x

I have read of message to DH. He says that Brixton, Clapham Junction and Kingston are the only ones left, south of the river, near us.