2022 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Fairy_Shazza

Cracked on today. Decided that it was time to let go of lots of stuff that I've been trying to sell but not had any interest in. Have gone through and bagged up 26 items for the charity shop. Will try and add a bit more to the bag before I drop it off tomorrow. 

A couple of things placed in the cash 4 clothes bag ready to be taken in later this week.

1 tube of body lotion chucked away which had gone off and smelt funny. 

Items decluttered today = 29
Total items decluttered = 42

mothernerd

Thanks for all your thoughts and especially the hugs. I've had a productive but a bit scattergun day. I got to mum's, opened all the windows including the French windows and had just sat down outside with a drink, when my phone rang. Dashed through mum's room and across mine so very breathless. It was my cousin and she has undertaken the job of contacting her brother and sister and another cousin (who will hopefully pass on the news to his brother as my cousin doesn't have a number for him either). She agreed that it was a good idea to contact another cousin and let him break the news to his dad (the last survivor in that generation).

Hadn't got my cousin's number so had to phone my uncle. Had a good chat and he will let his sons know. He said that unfortunately that at his age most calls tended to be about people dying. I leavened the difficult phone calls with other tasks and easier phone calls - I went through mum's bag and contacted the travel vouchers people, it was okay for me to destroy the remaining vouchers not send them back and they have closed her account.

I stuck various ornaments outside on the gravel in the hope that someone will take them (that's why my back is aching -thought I had been taking it easy). these had lived in the garden shed since mum moved in 5 years ago (well they were in the room I was using until I stubbed my toe on them once too often). Told mum about them last year and she decided to cluster them on pieces of slate (she was worried about one of our younger visitors taking them home in his pockets). Still gluing them all in place kept her happy over the summer. 

I have binned a broken angel who was cut off below the knees. We have an assortment of fairies and angels, ranging from the twee to horrendous and scantily clad. These all have to be kept because "they were presents from 'my brother who died;". Now I know that these presents were nothing whatsoever to do with my brother but were chosen by his ex gf (very very ex) - very vain and scatty (refused to wear her glasses and had to be rescued by workmen when she got stuck tripping across their newly laid tarmac). On another occasion she was waiting for her son in law to pick her up and jumped into a car of the same colour much to the alarm of the driver, a complete stranger - she didn't even notice until her opening monologue ran down.

It's paper bin collection tomorrow so I started on the Christmas cards that never got put up into the paper bin/ rubbish bin according to embellishments. I also checked the names for people I needed to put on the 'to be contacted' list. Another difficult phone call to the friend who phoned for a chat each morning at 9.30 am - he and mum were the only ones left out of their class at school. A card from a man she used to work with - he keeps in touch with all those from her office who are still alive, attends all the funerals and passes on details, one from a man who's family is entwined with ours (his mum was one of my grandma's best friends and came as a guest to my wedding because my grandma was no longer with us, his father was my father's boss in his first job after leaving school, later he was a drinking buddy of my father's and he also took over as caretaker at my son's primary school. Was hoping to write a note and put it through his door but ran out of time/ energy. then there was one from Ang and all the family in Oz and I haven't a clue who they might be (not important, they won't be coming to the funeral but hoping they put their details on next year's cards).

Woman came to deliver mum's pills for the next 4 weeks so I told her and asked about the rest of mum's pills - can be returned at any time. She will notify the pharmacy so that's one phone call off my list. Poured away the 7 oldest pints of milk and washed the bottles out. Still 5 in the fridge door and I've taken 4 home already. Took 4 of them to a neighbour (2 teenage boys and a 3 yo girl) before I left.

Started on a box of photos I organised for mum about 3 years ago. All the holidays she went on with her partner before he became ill (except in one of the cupboards in her room there's diaries and photos from a 3 month trip around Spain which she was always going to sort out) and some with other friends prior to that. Binned about 90% of them and that box was the biggest part of the photos. Left with a biggish pile of photos of mum, about half that size of her partner and members of his family (I handed over a lot that belonged to them about a year before he died - the alternatives would have been when he died or when mum did, both of which would have been upsetting). Partner was already in a home by then and I said we shouldn't really have custody of them. Also 3 small piles of other friends and some with my brother in them

Another ring at the door. Mummy of twins (nurse had asked if it was okay to send mum's things home with her). She'd been to my house and DS3 had told her where I was (he had not put on more clothes as I instructed as I left). She stood on the doorstep all red and snotty from crying, I stepped back to let her in and then she sat on the couch all red and snotty and crying. So I squeezed in beside her and hugged her and she apologised for what she said on Friday and I apologised (we had words after I told her about the COVID - her family do not do all they could to minimise the risks and I had had enough of biting my tongue). So we are friends again and I passed on the photos of her grandad.

Whilst she was there the bereavement officer phoned and then afterwards someone from the medical office to ask about the care she received in hospital and give me a provisional cause of death. This will be reviewed by a medical examiner and then passed to the Registrar. They also answered a question that was bothering me. When the young doctor phoned me on Friday he said that in these cases we have to ask ''and I nearly offered him all mum's organs on the spot". He was talking about the DNR and mum had made her wishes clear. I found her donor card today (I think I was the one who persuaded her that some bits of her would be of use even though parts were old and knackered. I was worried that I had missed an opportunity to help others but according to the COVID protocol her organs cannot be used anyway so don't beat myself up 

Because of COVID everything is done by phone so I just have to wait for people to phone me and then they take me through the next stage. Much simpler than when my brother died. I remember sitting with mum and her partner from Palm Sunday (when he died) until Maundy Thursday for a post-mortem result, getting a lunch time appointment (our Registry office was shut for the week due to an IT update) then heading down the road to catch a bus, to take us the 8 mile journey, taking them to a small, inexpensive but wonderful cafe (I used to volunteer next door), then to the Registrar's and finally getting into my brother's bank and getting them to freeze his account just before everything shut down for Easter BH weekend. 

I tried another couple of phone calls but no-one was answering. Use your best stuff everyday. I have emptied two of mum's cupboards today - lots of lovely jumpers and tops and all too small for me (mum was not blessed with my magnificent bosom and my 3 sons have paid me the compliment of finding partners with long brown hair and generous bosoms). There are 2 more cupboards and some drawers and then both of our suitcases under the bed filled with good quality coats and outfits which were only worn on holidays or had been bought for weddings. I did try and I did get mum to ditch some of her oldest clothes (she hadn't done her own cleaning for years so didn't need stuff  she didn't mind getting dirty). So it will all go to the charity shops (will ask around to see who is taking clothing).

I was getting tired so stopped to eat (a pizza, 4 duck rolls and half a bag of breaded mushrooms have been decluttered today) then found the recipes I had been looking for earlier. Had a great time ripping out newspaper cut outs of recipes (I'm the one who taped them all in after making mum choose which recipes she wanted to keep of the multiples she had - she didn't even like lemon meringue pie, I'm the only one who likes lemon meringue pie and I don't make it because then I'd have to eat a whole lemon meringue pie).

So they were all added to the pile for the paper bin, along with the newspaper and then I looked at the presents that never got opened and my name was on a lot of them as well as mum's so I have a set of toiletries (the dove ones can go to the food bank) a box of lyn door chocolates (I've already unwrapped the QS ones that were for my ex s-i-l - mum didn't like her, my brother's been divorced from her for 28 years and yet mum insisted on getting her presents (usually a freebie or something she'd won on the church tombola).

There were only a few things in the washer (couple of teatowels, a random sock) decide they weren't worth wasting time on and dumped them in a new bin bag (outside the back door). Full bin bag has been binned and a new one is in the kitchen bin. Blue bin out for collection. Whilst waiting for the taxi I rooted out some more notebooks (think they are all 'old' address books but will look through). Don't feel up to more difficult phone calls this evening but did bring back some catalogues that I want to cancel. I also did a brief bathroom check and if no-ones interested in the toiletries I'll bag them all up and take them to the food bank (my brother said they'll all be covered in COVID germs - he's anxious about the funeral)

As I've been writing this I've have a long message session with my niece. I asked if my brother needs/ wants the bungalow. She thinks it would be perfect for him but he doing 'I'm okay where I am'. She's going to work on him. He was hospitalised early in the year, should have had adaptations but 2 plumbers made the situation worse instead of better before walking off the job. Niece also thinks my Carer's Allowance should continue for 3 months (I thought it would stop immediately). That would make a great deal of difference.

So numbers. A rough count suggests 43 for today (lots of things part done, should be some big numbers later in the week) 251/ 2022 and survived my first day as an orphan. The Bereavement Officer was worried about my health so I mentioned a few things and then said I had a great sense of humour which helps. She said she could hear me smiling during our conversation. 

Blackberrycurved

Sending kind thoughts mother nerd you have done amazingly. X

tiddles

Mothernerd - I am really sorry to hear your sad news - thinking of you. xxx

Guineapigsqueaks

I am very sorry for your loss mothernerd.

Everyone has been so busy, well done. I was back at work today, actually in the office to do a few bits that I can't do from home.  It was a bit of a shock to the system after a week off, so not achieved much this evening other than cooking tea and cleaning up.  I decluttered some shortbread . Also a couple of birthday cards and a present from my stash despatched.
Guineapigsqueaks x

TheCraftyForager

Not a great start to the day as I woke up feeling awful - thanks long covid 😒 I figured I'd take it easy apart from my tuition sessions. 
However, I wanted to make some progress, so unsubscribed from 10 email senders.
I was then inspired to make a phone call I'd been putting off.
Between tuition sessions I made a start on my Tax spreadsheets, and this evening have pretty much finished them! I've also made sure everything is up to date for this financial year, which will make things much easier
Finally, whilst washing up and tidying the kitchen I put my SatNav on to update - something else I'd been putting off...
It would have been soooo easy to get nothing done today after a rough start - weirdly giving myself permission to just do the bare minimum meant I got a lot done! Must be reverse psychology 😄

Gem-gem

@mothernerd sorry to hear of your loss.  Can't believe how much you have already sorted out. Take care of yourself. Sending you a virtual hug. 

Gem-gem

a) to keep the everyday clutter moving kitchen recyclables x5 - recycled.  Non-recyclable items binned. 

ChihiroSen

Hi, May I join?  I have a whole house full of stuff to be decluttered, I have inherited my hoarding tendencies and I am determined to get on top of things and have a clutter free household.  

Today I decluttered 227 items. Mainly little things. I'm not sure what to aim for in regards to numbers so I am just going to keep a running total as move forward.

stellata

Small win today but enjoyable, I found a packet of cake mix which was about to go out of date so I made it up and put 3/4 of it in the freezer. The other 1/4 I ate half of and the other bit is there for my coffee tomorrow. I used the last of a roll of baking paper I've had for years so the packaging went in the recycling. 

Also finished a bottle of shampoo (last one I'm on shampoo bars now) and recycled the bottle.
4 items bought before Xmas returned as didn't fit.
7 items out today, that's 10 so far in 2022. Not sure the cake mix counts really but it was nice!