2022 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Wildrose

Firstly, thanks for everyone's kind wishes, @Mrs_Salad_Dodger, @bit_by_bit , @EnergyShifter , @Deni_debt-free_dreamer , @TC77 & @vulpix. Despite my silence I have been reading along and inspired from everyone's efforts. 

@EnergyShifter, glad to hear your son(?) is much recovered. I have been here before with another son and my sister so at least I have sone grasp of the system. It never gets easier or less draining though.

Mostly I have been trying to keep up with everyday stuff - varying degrees of success there. Some drop offs at the cs where I am still greeted with joy. I've emptied a chest of drawers and the 2 bedside cabinets which DS is taking when he moves into his flat in 2 weeks. Oh the euphoria knowing that all his belongings will soon be out of here. My house will seem so much more spacious.  No decorating has yet been done, the ceiing took longer to dry than I expected and also I have been distinctly lacking in energy. Hopefully I'll get started on Monday when this heat should have lowered.

The forest is burning again, just up the road. 20* edit 32 appliances needed this time from 3 different counties & the nearby US airbase. Heartbreaking. It will eventually recover but it's devastating all the same. Those fire fighters in this heat too!

Started a panic with DS1 who has a friend living in the forest nearby to the fire, luckily a few forest compartments away. DS1 got hold of his friend who told him that after 4 years of living in a home made shack in the woods he has finally been offered a house. At least he doesn't have another winter out there. I always worried as he is so vulnerable to ill-wishers out there, let alone freezing temperatures. The guy's been holding down a job despite his real Old Style living.

A surprising number of people live in the forest, in tents or benders or shacks. When I was a Ranger I once came across a young couple setting up their tent, ineptly. Gave them some advice then ran into their social worker who was trying to find them so he could pass on sleeping bags and some food. Completely accepted that this was how they had to live. Sadly it's getting more common as rent prices are pushed up a LOT by the USAF personnel. The rental market used to be fairly balanced around here but in the last few months most properties are marketed at USAFE rent allowances, beginning at £1080pm, way beyond local affordability. American presence giveth but it also taketh away.

bit_by_bit

Great news at starting your retirement planning @EnergyShifter   I started retirement planning at 45 with the intention of retiring at 55. It all panned out but a lot of effort required. I was recently told I still need to check my gov pension site as I may need to add to my contribution for a full state pension. Live and learn.

Thankyou so much for the ⭐️⭐️  @Mrs_Salad_Dodger. Much appreciatied.   

Well done on the house clearance @mhagster. It must be such a relief.

Thankyou @Wildrose Fascinating to hear about the people who live in the forest. I hope they are all ok with the fires being not too far away. Sad that the world is getting this way even in rich countries.

So whilst away laying on the beach in Devon last week I did one of my mega lists of all the things that need doing/thinking about.
Yesterday morning I did a chart with everything on it; breaking every room/task down to manageable bits then added some more. I do this periodically. I never complete it but I feel some sense of control.

On it I have included things like the house but also other stuff. My  MiL and FiL need more input and I can't do it all so I have spoke to DH who had agreed for DiL in debt, if she is willing, to earn some doing some cleaning (plus Nana gets to see the baby). Financial stuff is on there too as well as plans to travel still, do up my camper. 

Importantly DH is on board with all my plans and is always willing to help or do his bit.

So yesterday I cleaned DD room top to bottom. There is a bit of painting to do but not urgent. Her shelves have been cleared and her draws vacuumed out. I have storage there for the guest bedding and towels for that room and space for her things for whaen she comes. Th rest of the draws will remain empty. Her under bed storage has been reassigned for my stuff to sell. It is full but tidy as I have taked it all from all round the house. The landing is now clear.

DD room was on that list and so I can now cross it off. I can also cross off getting all the saved packaging out of the loft for sorting and giving away. That is an evening job when things cool down and I can't do anything else.

Off to the library now and then the CS for the afternoon shift. Keep sun safe everyone.

TC77

V slow progress, brought lever arch files back from my dad's with papers all in immaculate plastic sleeves, print outs of a virtual art gallery - there are several of these, as he couldn't visit galleries looked on line and printed out.  Could just bin, but have found a bank of things in lewisham which will take good quality files and folders for young people for school/college, so gradually going through, and as single sided printed making most into a re-use note book with bull dog clip, and few that I like and want to find out more about artists putting to one side. Thinking of it as visiting an art gallery. I get through lots of scrap paper as still make notes for work etc. Does make it slow though! 
Some paper declutter
DB rang to say found some dad's external drives , one has 160,000 files! mainly photos, we don't have the password for his computer but know he scanned photos dating back to around 1900!  Will go down next week but putting off and today debating what I can do at home, keep flitting and not actually doing much. 
Hoping everyone managing to stay coolish in this weather.

Floss

TC77 maybe you could do remote things? Like sorting paperwork, slowly looking at photos, researching where different things can be donated / sold? Love the art gallery at home 😊

Floss

I've been decluttering old stair carpet, laminate & underlay that all went to the tip first thing, and currently have a chap fitting new flooring. Think there will need to be a bit of unexpected cash decluttering to get rising hinges & a plane to fix the d/s loo and understairs cupboard doors though 🙄

Suffolksue

wild rose are you in/ near the Brecks ,I lived there for 35 years ,moved to Gainsborough’s town 13 yrs ago 

TC77

@floss thanks, I have been doing gumtree/freecycle but my DB forgot to tell me someone had collected so sent a second person but found something to give them! light bulbs and mobility walker gone, and I'm sending list of books to booksellers that we think may get pennies. Haven't done my nos for ages so going for 1240 as think last was 1180 2/3 weeks ago and small stuff has gone.
Found National Savings Gift card with 4 x 2 shilling stamps from my aunt to me prob 1968ish - apparently if I send off I would get 40p although also says you can't cash in for less than a £1 so possibly nothing.
Sorted out tesco clubcard with points added, paper vouchers out, other paper declutter, checked batteries and 1 out, and 2 tops to CS - Started to take photo to sell and thought no - just give so hope to drop off later or may leave to cooler.  Antibiotics working and hoping when finish to have 3 hours between eating! just habit and distraction from other stuff - then may get into the other 90% of my clothes  
OOD food. Went to BBQ last night and wore all in one last worn about 8 years ago (last time abroad) lots of compliments and a lesson in being able to find what you own. If people don't know Andrew Mellen I'm a big fan as doesn't promote minimalism but focus on your values, and if don't have room then we're responsible for making choice, and also for decluttering when stuff has adverse impact on his life. Doing his 5 day challenge again in September - its mainly catch up as US east coast time.
1189

TC77

Whoops 1249 - 2022 does seem a long way off and I think I hoped for 2500  

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

sob, sob just lost my post 😭
So disheartened 😔

TC77

@Mrs SD, how peeving! 
Frog - applied for my dad's RAF records from WW2 been on my to do list for months.1290