2022 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

grandmanerd

Not much gone out in the last few days. Managed to gather rubbish and recycling (well gathered it one day, took it downstairs the next and finally out to the bins (will count up later). Yesterday was mainly tidying. I've been wondering if I could do the clean of the mattress and spot clean again but the mattress cover and wool quilt (both double layers of merino wool, large and heavy) were on the floor and stopping me doing much or even being able to access parts of my room.

So yesterday I put the box of paperwork + onto the floor - it tried to slide off the bed midweek, I was clinging on to it with one hand and trying to push it back to a stable position with the other and one corner has ripped all the way down. Everything else on the bed went into 2 bags for life and then I heaved the mattress cover onto the bed and pulled the rest up bit by bit (having first rolled the quilt to the headboard end). Using a variety of techniques and in slow stages with rest breaks in between I spread them over the bed. For the time being I'm going to sleep with both of them under me. I've done something to my arm and I think pulling the heavy quilt back over me isn't helping it to heal. If I roll one or both up and put them elsewhere in the room, they'll be in the way.

So they're on the bed, out of the way, will make a contribution to keeping me warm and I have sheets and a green velvety cover and a thick white cotton cover to cover me (there are two duvets downstairs which I may reclaim but not sure how to get them upstairs). If I can get one over my shoulder, I'll be fine, if not I risk not having hands free to hold the handrails and maybe not being able to see where I'm going.

Having sorted the bed, I sorted 3 small bags of crockery and other kitchen items into the second of the boxes designated for them (bags were normal size, just a few items left in each), filed a few piles of books away and made a start on sorting the two bags of 'bed things' (books I'm reading, toiletries I use each day, laptop and charger etc) before going downstairs to wait for my granddaughter and her parents.

We went to the garden centre. It was busy. They dropped me by the entrance after we'd circled the car park. It's only the first week in November - people were buying lights and decorations by the trolley load and heathers. I've nothing against heathers as a plant, bit nondescript, bit bland but can make interesting arrangements with pansies or bulbs but the number of people I saw with a heather plant in each hand as though they were holding the holy grail. 

I did a quick reccy while they were finding somewhere to put the car and advised going straight through the crowded food hall to the outside plant area (it has a glass roof). We looked at the model village tableaux, did the odd foray into decorations - baby loved all the different coloured lights and we pointed out oversized snowmen, penguins and gingerbread people, had a roast dinner, picked out 2 decorations for them and an owl for me. I'd handed over the little fox I'd bought as the baby's special decoration in the car to distract as she was fretful and during lunch we talked about making Christmas traditions for our family and then daughter out law said they should buy me a special decoration from them.

We compared notes on recent communications with DS1 and all think he's happier and feeling more secure in his new job (and might have compromised with his wife on having babies - they've picked names). I got to play games with baby and hold and cuddle her, made plans with her mother (I'm in charge of teaching baby about gardening and making things and all things crafty). D-o-l showed us some cute outfits she'd bought for when baby meets her cousin (both born in the summer but cousin lives in Australia). She'd seen 2 dresses and thought it would be cute to put them in matching outfits when they're together at Christmas, then realised the woman selling the clothes had twin girls so she's bought 10 pairs of items for less than a tenner. We stopped at the tapas bar, had a quick look in the cook shop and baby boutique (nothing bought) and then came home.

I just picked up food and drinks from downstairs and fell asleep (with my dress on) before 7 pm. I've slept most of the night (read for a bit at the 8 hours point but put my mask back on when I felt myself drifting off). Although I grabbed a small trolley to use as a walker, I did quite a lot of walking so I'm having an easy day, but I have lots I can do without leaving my room (and I'll make it a light lunch day). I also reached the far corner and have my bag of wrapping paper so I'll wrap and sort presents as I go. Will report back later on my progress (I've committed now, will have to get something done).

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks

2. Deal with Old Frogs & potential frogs ASAP but at least one on FROG Fridays.

3. Reduce/Restrict time watching TV during daylight hours 😉 AB2 playing zero - 20/9/2022

4. Declutter/Relocate one item every time I stand up.

5. Don’t put it down, put it away

6. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed

Sunday was a washout in more ways than one 😔 Several very heavy bouts of rain & I felt dreadful all day due to a very heavy cold with attendant earache & stuffy head. Managed to do a little bit of paperwork & finished scarf 5 & started scarf 6. As I am only doing garter stitch (knit every row for those who don’t knit 😉) if I nod off mid row, it is easy enough to resume. I slept a lot yesterday but despite that I still slept last night. The heating was on from early afternoon. DH watched the last round of the 2022 Moto GP races. Chinese for dinner. I did manage to do the wudupa 😉
Monday is another dark, damp miserable day & I am still feeling poorly although the earache has eased. Whispering very quietly - I am 63 today ssshh 😉 Have received one e-card but the rest (7) are actual cards 🥳 Also have some beautiful flowers from DH (now in a vase & gracing the dining room table) & 3 parcels from DSis which I will open when she is up 😉 Flower wrapping disposed of appropriately. The plan for my birthday dinner was steak & all the trimmings but given how I feel the new plan is that DH & DSis will finish their Chinese meals & I will probably have toast or push the boat out & have sardines on toast 😂 We will enjoy our steak dinner tomorrow 😊

1897 - 1901 Kitchen recycling, glass jar, drinks cans, 2 booklets - recycled 
1902 - 1903 Kitchen detritus & wrapping from flowers - binned 

Loving the etymology discussion 👏

Ooh, that looks exciting roundtuit 😮 Hopefully you will find some treasure 😉

Excellent work vulpix - decluttering a frog 👏 Like you I love the English language even down to the different pronunciations of the same word - scone comes to mind (potato is another one but only from a song which is now running round my brain 🤣) I used to be very good at spelling (lovely memories of my DM making time to sit with me at home every week to prepare me for the weekly spelling tests in primary school 😊) but now struggle with spelling as American spelling is everywhere 😔 Well done on sorting out the bulk of your Secret Santa gifts - I really need to start writing cards 😉 

roundtuit, I think I would take the stuff out of the top shelf as well - then you can see everything you have 😉 I think they were tears of relief that you have started 😊 I must admit, that when I saw picture I thought that you definitely have a TARDIS 🙂 No wonder you have got caught in the ‘loop of avoidance tactics’ sounds very familiar 😔 Perhaps just sit in a quiet area & let the parrots kick in 🙏 I see you have made an excellent start 👏

I hope you haven’t given yourself a hernia florianatwobob ‘wagging finger emoji’ Re the AWOL treasures, how about listing all the ‘safe places’ then looking in each one as & when you have time 🧐 
Lovely support for Floriana & roundtuit 😊 However you are putting ideas in my head now, vulpix 🤔 DH’s sister & brother-in-law + their daughter are turning up later to drop off the car & go into town for the 100th anniversary celebrations of DBiL’s Lodge. They were going to go by train but even though the train strike has been cancelled the trains are in the wrong place 😔 
Excellent work roundtuit 👏

What an interesting item to have florianatwobob 😊 - I believe French farming practices were/are completely different probably to do with larger land area 🤔 

Perhaps a list of safe places will assist you TC77 😉 Excellent decluttering & tidying 👏 I smiled at the ‘tinkering round the edges’ comment - regrettably that is all I seem to do 😉

You have been busy QueenJess 👏 Well done on the spring cleaning 👏
Ooh er missus 😮 Extra children GrannyKate - anyone thinking of the child catcher 😂 that will be just me then 😉 Keep up the good work…………..decluttering that is not child catching 🤣
roundtuit, you really have caught the ‘Decluttering Bug’ - nowhere is safe from your tender ministrations 👏 & now you are finding treasure 😊 Shame that the bedside cabinet is still hiding 😔 Another TARDIS in your home 😱 
Back shortly as just opening my pressies 😉

MrsSD  🏅🏅🏅🏅🥇 🌟 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I AM A STAR 🌟 

Decluttering Target: 1903/2022

2022 - 1p Savings Challenge: Running Total £469.22

Blackberrycurved

Happy Birthday Mrs SD sending happy thoughts and congratulations.

Siebrie

roundtuit said:

Part of me has decided to cs the more utilitarian notebooks and just keep the nicer ones. The other part of me has that part in a choke hold and is threatening to pile driver it. (Taking DS and his mates to watch the wrestling when he was younger gave me ideas 🤣)

Roundtuit, that's better than my standard thought of 'let's give the really nice ones to the cs so that they can make some money, and I'll finish the nasty, old, discoloured ones'.

Wednesday2000

Happy birthday!🥰

I found 4 tops and a dress to add to the bag. I did see a jumper that was too big for me but asked my husband if it fit him and it did so it went in his wardrobe. 

florianatwobob

No hernias here Mrs SD however as I’d been to see my sadistic Pilates instructor on Friday and was still feeling the ahem ‘benefits’ my thighs were grumbling. Better then than my back though. 

I’ve exhausted the usual safe places but most annoyingly I had my hand on the AWOL uncle not so long ago….. I think he’s gone all shy at being discovered. 

short_bird

Have a splendid day, Mrs SD! 

EnergyShifter

TC77 said:

@EnergyShifter I was about to make draught excludes, I made some a couple of years ago but seem to be wrong size either too long or too large or not stiff enough fabric. £2 sounds a bargain.. I assume not new stock some of them sell?

TC77 - no, not new stock - 2 identical second hand ones - in good condition but not terribly attractive - thinking I might try knitting a cover for them with some left over wool.  

roundtuit

Happy Birthday Mrs SD xx Hope you're soon feeling tip top again xx

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks

2. Deal with Old Frogs & potential frogs ASAP but at least one on FROG Fridays.

3. Reduce/Restrict time watching TV during daylight hours 😉 AB2 playing zero - 20/9/2022

4. Declutter/Relocate one item every time I stand up.

5. Don’t put it down, put it away

6. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed

Back again 🙂 Presents opened - 2 boxes of fudge + a new skirt - photo below

Same style as the previous one my DSis bought me but different colour palette 😊 

Back to cheerleading now

roundtuit, the ‘procrastination monster’ struck but only for the cupboard as you did lots of work elsewhere 👏 Strange the things that knock you for six when decluttering 🤔 I laughed out loud (& am still chuckling) at your wrestling analogy 🤣 I think the magic decluttering powder is just drawn to you as it realises it won’t be wasted or tucked in a box waiting to be used 😉 Excellent decluttering 👏 Btw, if the specs case is in good condition it can be given to the cs - can be used as a box for bits 😉 Sadly, since Covid my opticians no longer accept old specs 🙁 Not only a breakthrough but an encouragement to the rest of us 👏

vulpix, thanks for the reminder that decluttering is a marathon not a sprint 🙂 & that if we keep going we will be as happy as you 😊 Yippee to the new Practice - must have been so strange talking to a person 🥳 

roundtuit, Your continuing success is an encouragement & inspiration to us all 👏 Remember how curious I am (or should that be nosy) 😉 but what are DS’s Trophies for? All that lovely shredding to do 🙂

Hi Blackberrycurved, nice to see you  👋 Seems like roundtuit’s successes are a welcome inspiration 🙂 Good luck 🍀

Wednesday2000, surprising what ‘event’ can get you started on a decluttering foray 👏

Welcome aboard ~~TJN~~ 👋 Never, ever too late to start your decluttering journey 😉 Practising your skills will stand you in good stead - when you do start putting up shelves you will be able to display your items beautifully 😊 Good luck with tackling the conservatory 🍀 

Ooh, we have a brainiac amongst us 🙂 Mensa indeed - I think that letter should be framed 👏  I do still have my school reports - nearly all good but of course the only comment I distinctly remember is from my P.E. Teacher “Lacks control” when commenting on how I played tennis 🤣 

(Just had a birthday video call from my DB & his boys. The two boys are now in trouble as they were being a nuisance whilst my DB was trying to talk to me - no electronics for 3 days 😬 The weather in Germany is nicer than here - mainly dry with a few spits of rain 🙂 )

grandmanerd, excellent work not only decluttering but also tidying 👏 Organising the bedding sounds like a real marathon & I hope you haven’t damaged your arm any more 🤞The garden centre shenanigans sound like my idea of hell 😥 Maybe all those people have decided to have a good C… before resorting to bread & scrape & wearing so many clothes to keep them warm that they are unable to move 🤔 However it sounds like you had a wonderful afternoon & there is nothing to beat cuddles with a baby 😊 New C… traditions for a new grandchild 😊 Very well done on coping with so much walking & good luck with your present wrapping 🍀

Thank you for the birthday wishes Blackberrycurved 🙂

Oh dear Siebrie - remember you deserve nice things 😊

Thanks for the birthday wishes Wednesday2000 🙂 Great decluttering 👏

An unintended bonus of a sadistic Pilates instructor florianatwobob as the grumbling thighs probably meant you were more careful with your back 😉 You probably have a super safe place 🤞

Thank you for the birthday wishes short_bird 🙂

Clothed draught excluders 👏 especially if you can declutter some wool EnergyShifter 🙂

Thanks for the birthday & get well wishes roundtuit 🙂 

Just had a flying visit from DH’s DSis & her daughter (DBiL went by train as he needed to arrive early as he is the grand poobah 😉) Transpires that trains stop at 8:00 p.m. 😖 The ladies are looking very smart & came bearing gifts - flowers & a bag of green tomatoes 🥳 Walked to DLR station & then Central Line to venue. Flowers are now in a vase - very pleased that I only decluttered half my vases a few years ago 😂

MrsSD  🏅🏅🏅🏅🥇 🌟 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I AM A STAR 🌟 

Decluttering Target: 1903/2022

2022 - 1p Savings Challenge: Running Total £469.22