2022 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

QueenJess

I'm currently looking at finding a couple of physical things everyday to get rid of (until it gets too hard!).  I'm definitely at the stage where I am having to think quite hard about what I do and don't use as I really don't have lots of clutter.  The kids and DH on the other hand.....(!).  I am trying to be more aware of the things I bring into the house and spending so much time decluttering does help keep it to the forefront of my mind.  I have bought a few things recently, although I don't think they were silly and I think I'm still getting rid of more than is coming in (I bought 4 glass freezer containers as I don't have big enough ones already and these ones you can take cook in, then throw in the freezer and get back out to reheat in the oven/microwave again with no plastic, some sandwich reuseable bags for picnics which we've already used multiple times, a water bottle for DS to keep his water cold whilst he's at school and should last a lifetime, a pile of second hand books and a lego set that were a great price I will save for the kids xmas presents and a couple of clothes for me for the summer).  I am also thinking about buying myself a bedside alarm clock and getting a watch to avoid being tempted into using my phone unnecessarily at night (once I am actually allowed to sleep again by DD...) and also not having to go into my bag to get my phone out just to check the time (which is annoying).  To be fair I have a watch, but it needs a battery, but I'm drooling over some solar watches which will never need a battery - they appeal to me as being less work overall, but obviously a bit wasteful if I already have one... I've parked it on the gift list ideas for DH to get me for my birthday next year and will reconsider.  Thinking about everything and climate guilt is very consuming on the mental energy front!

Digital stuff will be a longer task, however, in the past I've always thought it was really awful and have tons, but turned out that it was relatively organised and I didn't have that much after all.  We shall see this time.  I know I have over 1,000 bookmarks to trawl through, I have thousands of digital photos which I need to consider how best to organise and about 400 passwords to go through and check (amend if necessary to more secure ones, update my email address and/or delete my account if it's something I will never use).  I also have Interestingly at the start of the year I wrote down how many photos and videos I had on my phone as a note - 6,500 photos and 579 videos.  I've deleted duplicates, screenshots and various bits and pieces as and when it has taken my fancy and despite taking more photos, I'm now down to 6,098 photos and 695 videos.  Clearly I must be making some progress!  Just not in any sensible, organised way...

Today I did find two things (no time for digital stuff although I guess I could have done it since I was up with DD all night and only went to sleep at 5:40am ).  I really hope she's over the worst of it now and I don't have to be awake for the third night in a row.  I definitely get the short end of the stick there.

Anyway, tiny decluttering steps today:

2,042 - OOD bathroom supplies

2,043 - cloakroom pedal bin (no idea why we have it since I've never used it and tbh no I'm pretty much plastic free in the bathroom I can't imagine why I'd ever use it.  Sadly just need to convince DH that for the bathroom upstairs, but currently apparent he "needs" it....).  Will be listing it on the buy nothing site when I ever get any time..

marrob

Hello all
Mrs SD. I'm enjoying reading about your US trip, you have a way of writing that makes everything so real, you should write a book!   Love the photos also.

I've found my decluttering mojo again, finally.  We made two trips to the charity shop last week, a load more stuff gone that will hopefully make them some money.  I spent a large part of yesterday clearing out an old PC which I used for work.  I kept a few emails but deleted 10,000 and deleted 400 documents.  The PC will be going to a local charity once we've reformatted the hard drive.  

I'm now up to 968 current total.  Tomorrow I'm going to finish sorting the cards which I've been keeping.  I started this task on Saturday and already got rid of loads of them.  I wonder why I was keeping them all, but that's a question we have all asked ourselves.....

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, well the green waste bin was emptied today so as the sun was out I headed into the garden and did some more chopping back and the bin is full again. I have an old compost bag full of more to go in when it has dropped a bit. The bin won't be emptied for 2 weeks so it should fit in by then. I still have loads to do but you can at least see a difference. The bench is still waiting to go to the tip so I might take a big bag of garden waste to the tip as well if I get my a**e into gear
This evening I went to a local TUC meeting and seem to have signed myself up to go to a big thing in London. I haven't told OH yet but I think I will make a weekend of it and try to catch up with my nephew if he's not working
@Mrs SD, those pictures are brill, I would love to visit Yosemite as well as a few other places in America, but I couldn't do it on a motor bike I will have to look into saving up some money
Take care everyone

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Tuesday started with clear blue skies in San Francisco but a bit chilly mid 50’sF. Luggage to van for 8:00 a.m. Nice breakfast - fry up for DH, toast & marmalade for me + juice & coffee. DH went to the garage on his own & came down the spiral on his own - he didn’t fancy doing it amongst 14 other bikes. Drove round to the front of The Hilton & picked me up, then back round to the garage exit. Supposed to leave at 8:30 but it was more like 8:45 🙄 The drive out of San Francisco was slightly easier but the clutches got a good work out. Rode out to Richmond & Sunset to see how the other half live 🙂 Picked up California Highway 1 & rode down the coast. Got to Half Moon Bay & headed inland & rode through the forest to Alice’s Restaurant for coffee. Carried on through hills & forest until we returned to the coast road as far as Davenport where we had lunch * - picture to follow 😉 Stopped for fuel opposite the hotel - Hotel Abrego in Monterey & arrived 3:50 p.m. Got bags from van, had a briefing re tomorrow whilst having a beer, received our room keys. We have a very nice room quite close to the lift 🥳 Slobbed about a bit, then showered & changed. Then gathered up a machine load of washing including DH’s jacket & both our riding jeans which were all standing up on their own 😱 🤢 Got quarters from reception & found laundry room. Wm was put on - 34 minute cycle so we went to the bar & had a beer. Returned to laundry room, put laundry in dryer - no indication of time 🤔 then headed off on a shortish walk to a bank atm. Strolled back from the bank, had a 2nd beer then picked up the dried laundry & returned to our room. Finished the 2nd half of my lunch * plus a couple of slices of salami & the last pickles in the jar. Then went back to the bar - DH had a couple more beers & I had fizzy water + we shared an Abrego Platter - picture to follow. Delicious & enough to fill our tummies 😉 Back in our room by 9:15 p.m. & DH is already in bed trying to fall asleep. The day did warm up to a high of about 78F - so pleasantly warm for motorcycling. We have had a lovely day & the coastal scenery is well worth seeing. Did see quite a few pelicans + a couple of raptors. 

Hope everyone is well & decluttering like mad so that I will be able to award lots of medals & gold stars when I get back to Blighty 😂

MrsSD
865/2022

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

One California Club sandwich for lunch - I ate half of it. DH had a Reubens

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Absolutely delicious - the ribs had been coated in a chipotle sauce 🙂

GrannyKate

Great following the SD's holiday - never been to that part of US. Feeling stressed by RL so not much getting done here.  New internet installed yesterday but they were so late coming and took so long that DS2 had to leave straight away afterwards and we haven't had time to set everything up.  Will have to wait for next week when DS2 is back but I am away as well tomorrow.  The old system is still running so will have to pay for both until sorted. 

832 CC bill paid off (that was the washing machine)
833 Photos shared with nephew when he visited
834 Various unsold electricals left with DS2
835 Sewing machine packed to go with me tomorrow
836 Late mil's sewing stuff ditto. 

Two meetings today one after the other so will be gone from 9.15 to 3.30 ish.  Papers all ready to take. Awful headache last night and ended up taking paracetamol which is unusual for me.  Hope it doesn't come back.  Several of US family group who went to wedding in Costa Rica have arrived back home with Covid.  There still seems to be quite a bit about. 

vulpix

Granny Kate, hugs for RL stress. X

 RL is getting in the way for me atm. Builders, electricians. Writing it down just doesn’t convey the puzzles to be solved. Last night in the pouring rain we emptied and moved a very heavy shed. Before that many pots of plants had to be moved. All whilst dancing round a ton of mot a Ton of sand and a cement mixer. Progress is being made. Electrician back today to put up security lights and outside plug socket. 

I am taking my Mum out shortly and putting up a jubilee display in the community centre. Pictures from 6 year olds at the school. Flying corgis!? So cute. I am at work this afternoon to cover holiday. Plant shuffling tonight. Another shed dismantle tomorrow. Etc, etc,etc. it is good to be busy. 

 A few things have been identified to go to the tip. Sadly my IT expert brother tells me it would cost more to fix a laptop than buying a new one. 

 What a marvellous experience you are having Mrs SD. Those memories will stay with you forever. One of my best memories is sitting in a hot tub on a stary night at the top of cliffs in Santa Barbara with the ocean crashing in below. A skunk came to check me out. I just kept very still whilst it sniffed about.!

 My lady electrician has just given me a gift. How lovely. 

 Gotta get on. Love to all. Vx

Floss

Queen Jess re your watch without battery - have you considered going to your local Timpsons and getting a Battery for life? It's a buy once thing, they give you a card & you take it back next time you need a battery and they replace it free of charge.

QueenJess

Floss said:

Queen Jess re your watch without battery - have you considered going to your local Timpsons and getting a Battery for life? It's a buy once thing, they give you a card & you take it back next time you need a battery and they replace it free of charge.

That’s a good idea - didn’t know they did that! I am a bit lazy though and liked the idea of never having to bother with it as I would have to go out of my way to get it replaced.