2022 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

florianatwobob

Oh that reminds me @notmy1sttime I’ve had a kitchen cupboard tidy over the last few days. The perils of people helping with putting the food shop away is that they just ‘shove’ where there is a space. 

I now have some space in the cupboard! I also know I don’t need to order any mushy peas (a guilty pleasure) for quite some time (there were 6 tins dotted around 1 cupboard). 

Also had a tally up of the house budget/outgoings and was pleasantly surprised. I have been unexpectedly frugal this past month! 

EnergyShifter

EnergyShifter said:

490-498 - 9 tupperware lids with no tupperwares to match
499. Backgammon set 
500. Jeans  - that I hate the colour of.....   

Did a bit of tidying, decluttering and admin this morning then went out for a walk with DS.  First decent walk in a few days.  Walked by the Thames from O2 (the storm damage is shocking) to the Thames Barrier.  It wasn't the brightest of days weather wise but it was atmospheric - the wind was making some very eerie noises whistling through the various structures.  Sold the vivobarefoot shoes on eBay for £82!! I was absolutely delighted - its the first thing I've sold in years and it was worth the effort.  I shall use the earnings to buy DS some clothes - the medication made him put on weight so he could do with some extra bits until he shifts it. 

501-4 - 4 x balls of wall which are way too delicate for me to knit with
505. Ring binder
506. Washed my heated throw - spilt a pot of yoghurt on it - wasn't sure if would survive the washing machine but it has!!
507. Physio 1/5
508. holey sock
509. knitted yet another beanie - black one this time.... 
510 - shorts

TC77 - sorry for your loss 💐

Gem-gem

TC77 said:

I've been listening in but not posting for the last few weeks. Hugs and thanks to everyone sharing their experience of grief and support to others. I posted here over the last couple of years about visiting my dad who moved to a care home last Autumn after another fall and feeling unsafe. Sadly, he died last Sunday, but I feel so lucky that we knew a few days before and my brother and me and our children all spent time with him. So many different feelings which people have mentioned here. When my mum died 12 years ago I helped my dad but so different being responsible for arrangements and don't think I grieved for her properly. 

I've just been back to his house and stayed longer due to Eunice, trying to find some personal things but mainly electronics (lots of it), books on every subject, CDs and DVDs in 1000s and some photos, many personal things of my mum's  including diaries from 1943 nursing (unqualified) in the war in candle light with power cuts, fierce staff nurses,  and letters to family over decades.

I have a list of decluttered things from my house over the past  month will post at some point. I managed 1 bag to CS for my dad, and a large bag of his clothes to take to the refugee and homeless donation hub. Reminding myself that my dad isn't his stuff, and wondering if I can make a teddy or something out of a checked shirt!  Lots of guilt that I should have/could have done more for him which is I think very common. 

Gem-gem I can't remember if you've just started crocheting? Sounds very impressive either way. I've only just learnt how to do the second row! a lovely friend sent me needles, wool and a beginner book when I had Covid....

Mrs SD, a very big hug to you and your 14 year old self, and to everyone else struggling. I agree with February being a cruel month .x

TC77, sorry to hear about your Dad. Hugs to you and your family. 

Yes, like you I am new to crocheting - I can now do a ring of six, dc, make it grow and reduce the stitches.  I have watched some Toft videos but prefer to be shown face to face. Luckily, three people I know are seasoned crocheters. Will get there very, very slowly.

TC77

Thank you all for your kind words and hugs, greatly appreciated.

Gers, ready about your DMs diaries and belongings. Brilliant that they are being valued and used, and hopefully you recognise some of them in a film!  I did contact the Imperial War Museum but they have no collection policy at the moment as have so much, I think my mum donated some things years ago. A friend's husband records oral histories for the IWM and was keen to record my dad (he was in the RAF(radar) but my dad didn't want to do this as very private. My dad did talk more to me, and while a friend said I should record it, I decided just to spend the time with my dad - as all say its the memories that are important. Just keeping enough to trigger the good memories.

Gem-gem I am so impressed. I will check out the videos. My crocheting friends aren't local but to be honest I haven't spent enough time but disappointed I am finding it so hard as I used to knit alot, I think it's mainly working out where the yarn goes, and my brain has problems transferring from the book to my hands

From Jan 243
Paid tax, bank stuff, recycled receipts, filing and paper declutter, garden waste, non working thermometer and pens, folders, 3 pairs earrings, filing, notebook, 10 bits and pieces, 2 items returned, 2 make up trays and 3 other items to CS bag, abit of electronic decluttering, emails and frogs moved along (Mostly a few weeks ago) - counting as 40 so 283.

Have listed a few things so hoping they will get collected.

Impressed by Henry's home, and how all tools are secured. I must check if I can do that!

Trying to prepare for work as been off for 10 days. Going to pace myself. 

Mrs SD belated thank you for my medal from Jan 

Hope everyone staying safe in the horrendous weather and being kind to their selves x

Floss

TC77 would you consider contacting the RCN with your mum's diaries? Or perhaps the National Archives?

TC77

Floss, thanks for the ideas, I have to say she started lots of diaries and then you may have a month or so and then gaps and also some water damage and when I've had a chance to go through properly (later this year?) I could do this. Going to show my daughter and my niece who are both student nurses. There are many letters to and from family (sporadically) through the 40s/50s/ 60s. A project for when I reduce /stop work - hopefully this decade! Also taking inspiration from your ideas of displaying much loved items. Work in progress but getting so much support and inspiration from the lovely community Mrs SD has created.

Floss

There is another option here:

http://www.massobs.org.uk/support/donating-personal-papers

Guineapigsqueaks

Evening All.
Back to work tomorrow, I know it will be crazy busy, but I can only do what I can do in the hours they pay me for . 
The wind really  is whistling around the house and down the chimneys and lots of heavy rain today. DSis messaged to say they are on a flood warning, she's nearby but lower/closer to brook than us. Fingers crossed all will be well, also that we won't lose any more roof slates in this wind.
Been to visit my Mum for a cuppa, she was fine.
DD and I did her first choice Uni accommodation application, so that's a frog eaten. All being well, OH and I will start paying that rent as we finish paying for DS.  It really is a good job we stopped at 2 .
I sorted out a bit of jewellery to be sent to Alzheimer's Society, they don't mind if it's broken.
Cooked chicken curry for tea, cleared up, but not done anything since, other than having a bath. I am resting before work tomorrow .
Keep going everyone, every item out will make life simpler.
Guineapigsqueaks x

GrannyKate

Just a few bits done today

297 E mails responded to, mail dealt with, banking and filing done
298 Old damaged step ladder to tip
299 Cardboard packaging to tip

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 5 tasks
2. Deal with Old Frogs & potential frogs ASAP but at least one on FROG Fridays.
3. Reduce/Restrict time watching TV and playing AB2 during daylight hours 😉
4. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed

Sunday was another dreary, damp day & the wind picked up but nowhere near as bad as Friday 🙂 Now the Winter Olympics are over I have run out of excuses not to get on with decluttering, cleaning & tidying & dealing with frogs 🤣 Dinner was sausages, mash, baked beans & plum tomatoes. Wudupa. 

264 - 265 Kitchen recycling, cardboard packaging - recycled 
266 Kitchen detritus binned

What a beautiful sentiment wort 😊

Floss, you have been busy - great decluttering, sorting & tidying 👏 Well it is a nice home for Henry 🤣

oceanspirit your grandmother’s war diaries sound like they might be very interesting so I hope you get to read them soon. Great ideas for Primrose 👏 - hopefully her OH can be persuaded to declutter 😉 Fingers crossed that RL becomes less busy so you can meet your deadline on decluttering the little bedroom 🤞

What an excellent post on the psychology of decluttering, daisy_1571. Please accept a medal 🏅 I especially like the idea of ‘what would I like to keep, rather than what can go’ seems more gentle somehow 😉

Gers, I remember all the hard work you put in helping your DM declutter. Especially finding suitable & marvellous places to donate items thus avoiding landfill 👏 Thank you for reminding me that smell is one of the most evocative senses - always brings back such great memories 🙂

Great decluttering notmy1sttime 👏

florianatwobob had to smile at the ‘assistance’ comment 🤣 Great work tidying the kitchen cupboards & congratulations on your frugality 👏

Great work EnergyShifter 👏 Sounds like you enjoyed your walk with your DS - blew away the cobwebs 😉 Excellent result with the shoes 👏 As you have reached 510/2022, one Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way 🙂

Good luck with the crocheting Gem-gem 🍀

Pleased to hear that you got to spend time with your dad TC77. Good luck with the crocheting 🍀 Excellent decluttering & dealing with frogs 👏 Sounds like you will be very busy when you retire/reduce your working hours 😉

What good ideas Floss 🙂 - the Mass Observation site looks very interesting 🙂

Guineapigsqueaks, everything crossed that you will keep your roof tiles in place & that your DSis will not get flooded out 🤞🤞Well done on sorting out the university accommodation application 👏 I did have a wry grin at the comment about stopping at two 😄

Good work GrannyKate 👏

MrsSD  🏅🏅🏅🏅 🌟 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

I AM A STAR 🌟 

Decluttering Target: 266/2022

2022 - 1p Savings Challenge: Running Total £17.92