2022 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Siebrie

My father's handmade from scratch doll's house:

It's wallmounted. The garage door opens to the top and slides inside. The furniture was bought/received; the Korean furniture was bought in Korea The paintings, toys, bookshelves and books were handmade by Dad. There is a christmas wreath for the front door, and a flag that is added to the house on holidays and birthdays

It'll come to us sometime next month.

2Scratters

@Siebrie Oh Wow! that is absolutely gorgeous. A testament of his patience and skill. 

roundtuit

@Siebrie - wow. That is truly a work of art!   And I'm glad it's not just me with the bins. I prefer to recycle or donate where possible but there's a lot of unrecyclable tat leaving the house so general waste it is 😒

It's tipping down here but I put on my coat to feed the birds and bring in the emptied bins 😊

From my bedroom:
20+ year old perfume - binned & packaging recycled

Formulating idea in my head to take the rest of the  perfumes that I don't/ won't use (I have to be careful as some perfumes really affect my mood so tend to stick to the tried and trusted) to leave somewhere at work ( kitchen / hand basin area) with a note inviting colleagues to help themselves. Sounds like a plan to me.

Rxx

roundtuit

Notelets - put with birthday cards

3 x small notebooks- cs
3 x small notebooks- keep

large notebooks:
2 part used - take to work (someone will use them there)
3 unused - cs

That means I can keep 5 medium notebooks before I start the trade off 😊

5 medium notebooks - keep

Rxx

roundtuit

4 medium notebooks - cs
1 medium notebook - work
6 medium notebooks - keep

Not quite 50/50 but very nearly....

Next 'project' : there are three small piles of books (that you read, not notebooks!) on the living room floor - I'll go through them next.

Rxx

grandmanerd

Okay I've been missing for a few days (not well but doing what I can) so here's a rough total of what I've been up to. To the bins and recycling - 11 bags/ sacks/ whatever including 1 stack of pizza boxes plus a broken box (the ripped box collapsed in the night) this morning along with another large bin bag that had been left in the kitchen by the elves. Mr Builder came yesterday and did the preparatory work for my new gate - removing part of the old cobble wall and what's left of the old posts (something ate them), removing the old metal shoe for the centre post and putting in a new one (new gate will be 4 ' wide instead of 2' and a strange little bit and the new posts are 4 x 4 instead of 3 x 3 - you take what you can get when you're using up other people's leftovers). 

Helping Mr Builder and clearing space 6 buckets of soil and lumps of mortar (a few more bricks but forgot to count them) + 3 more green waste - next door's back wall fell at an angle and only been able to do the last bit along my wall since chucking the bricks back into their yard and then yesterday sorting through rubble (ancient grey mortar), weeds and rubbish (I bought the rubble sacks but I'm going to stack filled sacks in their yard - most of it's part of their wall). The old net curtain worked exactly as predicted - I lay it over the drain and poured 10 l buckets of mainly water through it and it held the inch or two of soil that was at the bottom. Until recently this water was recycled back onto the garden but the recent weather makes this unnecessary. And moved a very large ex-kitchen bin full of soil (removed as much as I could of the 6" of water on top  first).

Found the extension cord for Mr Builder to use (knew I'd seen it recently, suspected it was in one of the 17 bags that was my recent target - DS3 also vaguely remembered stepping over it. He spotted it on the floor between his desk and a dining chair, on his route to the chinchilla cage. It was in plain sight but he could see it because of his height, other things were blocking my view (the seat of the chair).

One part of my new plan of attack is tackling surfaces and drawers (1 point each but allowing credit for removing anything obvious - some places will need a further pass but removing any rubbish/ recycling and things to go for washing up is helping enormously). yesterday I cleared 2 small surfaces, scrubbed the sink, draining board and washing up bowl and did 3 loads of washing up, as well as putting away the remaining things that were on the dish rack and in the DW.  I'm counting a load as when the water needed to be changed. Most of it had to be scrubbed - not just the stuck on bits, it mostly needed scrubbing clean. Not quite completed - I left one roasting tin soaking in the sink and went upstairs when Mr Builder left around 3 pm and fell asleep shortly after, so never went back down. 10 lids/ containers were binned (not pairs) and a couple that were beyond reclamation (can get a lot more done in the time it would take to rehabilitate one of their takeaway containers that has been lurking somewhere for weeks - sorry recyclers (of which I am one) but needs must.

10 points for shopping put away, anything brought up or down stairs and put away (not counting rubbish and recycling as they're already listed (included towels, bedding, tools, Mr Fox and Mr Owl - they are both on the newly cleared and cleaned window bottom in the front room. After the success of the old net and wire down, thorough cleaning and new nets and tension rod up (joint effort with DS3), I managed to take down the curtains in my room, had to clear that part of the floor and move the step'n'fetch across the bed
before climbing up (making sure I'd locked the window first). I took the hooks out and threw the curtains down for washing).  Before bedtime I squirted window cleaning spray liberally on the curtain rail and all parts of the window and found I could reach most of it for wiping by only going a few inches off the ground. One of the already washed Duck Egg blue curtains has been brought up, will bring the other later today and will go up as I've cleaned the window. Would have liked to spray with anti mould but can't have everything - will cover the curtain and books on top of the cube shelves when I get round to tackling it (put contacting roof men again on list). When the curtains are up, I'll 'arrange' this window bottom too.

My turquoise curtains are to go in the front bedroom (my future room) and the purple ones will be washed ready to go with DS3 and Beloved when they leave. Not sure if the curtain swap will happen before Christmas or nearer to their moving date, for the moment it's pounce, clear and clean a space, put back what belongs there or just what makes it look pretty. Then collapse on the couch or bed to recover. Did this with the kitchen window bottom recently (after I'd moved the tomato plants outside) and it made a lovely drying space for all the plastic tubs I did clean. 

Quite a lot has come in recently (biggest were trees and tubs for my 'orchard') but mostly needs - my latest luxury item to be added to the list is a cover for the drain - so that leaves can't fall in and block it. some things I've done without for so long (can't remember how long it is since my last garden gate gave up the ghost) and I've 'not had the money' for so long that I'm finding it slightly difficult now or even got so used to their absence that I don't notice any more.

However I have been slightly self-indulgent with some purchases and I'm not sure where I draw the line (I'm basically asking you to absolve me of any residual guilt). I have bought some clothes recently but have got rid of loads that had reached 'bag lady' stage - lots had been used for painting and 'dirty jobs'. However a couple of illustrations. Mr fox cost £15. He's made of brush bristle type material, he's life-like rather than cutesy and he's about 14" high. I thought he was too dear but every time I went in that shop over a period of 6 - 8 weeks, I took another look and then I bought him. He's still making me smile but he's a want not a need. I don't want to get rid of him but I'm sort of not sorry but wonder if I should be.

The second item is a parcel that came yesterday and I'd forgotten about it amongst all the necessary purchases. I've not opened it but it has a platter and a large bowl. They're hand- decorated by an artisan in Palestine and fair trade and every other good thing you can think of. I think they're beautiful and I'll love them and take care of them and they should spark joy. I can't remember how long it's been since I first saw them, probably nearly 2 years to just over 2 years but again a luxury item I couldn't justify (and when I got a discount and took the plunge I bought both, I couldn't decide either/or.

It might be something to do with mum dying. Each year she'd tell me how much she was giving me for Christmas and I could plan how to spend it. At first it was based on the cost of an annual tv licence (she was always bothered that my brother wouldn't  pay for his and would go to jail so she bought it for him) and when the boys were small it was used to buy bras and other essentials (if my current handbag died in July I still waited to replace it with my Christmas money). Over the years the amount has grown, so I tend to give half away as charitable donations, spend some on books and then things I want/ need - candles and candlesticks, a new item of clothing or two (usually in the sale and with a discount on top) but 3 years ago I bought 4 new organic cotton sheets and matching pillowcases (need/ want).

I'm very bad at spending money on myself, it's much easier to splurge on my children, my mum and sometimes just someone who's having a hard time. Maybe I should set myself a 'treats' budget to use for little pick me ups during the year or a once a year binge, but I'm just struggling with it, now. I'm reducing my own possessions as much as possible - I have 6 large white oval dinner plates (cs bargain), 4 blue and white plates with roses on (small dinner plate but much bigger than a side plate) that were my grandma's and I've grown fond of them whilst living at mum's and some mostly white bowls (3 pasta, 1 or 2 cereal/ rice bowls one little blue bowl that's the last of 3 I bought in a sale when Deb'num's Mc had a whole top floor for ultra reductions (about 20 years ago I bought a 'mermaid' skirt for £2 - it was from  the wedding department and was turquoise but shot through with other colours when I moved).

Okay I'm now up to 906/ 2022 Will be back when I've sorted through lists of other days' accomplishments.

daisy_1571

Grandmanerd, well done on what you are doing to make your home clean, clear and fresh for yourself.  Definitely keep on with the tidying and getting rid of rubbish ie the endless pizza boxes you seem to find all over the place lol and other stuff that is genuine rubbish.  Keep going with coralling together like with like and getting rid of things beyond what you want or will need when you get your place back to yourself but....... try to keep in mind what the purpose of all this is.

In my opinion,  its not so you can sit on bare floorboards with 1 mug, 1 plate and 1 pot in the corner ie just minimum 'needs'.  What I mean is the purpose isn't to have an empty house.  Its so we can all live in houses that (to our individual standards) are easy to clean, safe to move around in, have items we use or wear that are fit for purpose are easy to use or clean and if possible we enjoy and like. Its maybe so we free up time from dealing with Stuff to give us time to maybe pursue hobbies, read, garden, see friends and family, travel or just sit on our bums doing nothing,  whatever it is we want to do. 

Inside our houses some people might like nothing on surfaces, others will want things around them that they love and want to look at.  One person's cluttered is another person's idea of heaven so we aren't all moving towards exactly the same 'look'. 

All this is simply to reassure you that you can send me your guilt over buying yourself your lovely Mr Fox.  An item you looked at, considered and decided you wanted.  No impulse purchase to be riddled with guilt about.  No one is going without so you could spend the money and now its home with you you have cleared a space to display him and he's still making you smile.  Same with your plates. To me that sounds EXACTLY why you are on this journey. Not every 'want' is tainted or 'bad', we are all allowed to go beyond 'needs' as long as its not consistently depriving the real needs of your life. 

Enjoy.

Daisy xxx

roundtuit

Well said @daisy_1571 👏 

15 books - cs

One pile left to do.

Rxx

grandmanerd

daisy_1571 said:

Grandmanerd, well done on what you are doing to make your home clean, clear and fresh for yourself.  Definitely keep on with the tidying and getting rid of rubbish ie the endless pizza boxes you seem to find all over the place lol and other stuff that is genuine rubbish.  Keep going with coralling together like with like and getting rid of things beyond what you want or will need when you get your place back to yourself but....... try to keep in mind what the purpose of all this is.

In my opinion,  its not so you can sit on bare floorboards with 1 mug, 1 plate and 1 pot in the corner ie just minimum 'needs'.  What I mean is the purpose isn't to have an empty house.  Its so we can all live in houses that (to our individual standards) are easy to clean, safe to move around in, have items we use or wear that are fit for purpose are easy to use or clean and if possible we enjoy and like. Its maybe so we free up time from dealing with Stuff to give us time to maybe pursue hobbies, read, garden, see friends and family, travel or just sit on our bums doing nothing,  whatever it is we want to do. 

Inside our houses some people might like nothing on surfaces, others will want things around them that they love and want to look at.  One person's cluttered is another person's idea of heaven so we aren't all moving towards exactly the same 'look'. 

All this is simply to reassure you that you can send me your guilt over buying yourself your lovely Mr Fox.  An item you looked at, considered and decided you wanted.  No impulse purchase to be riddled with guilt about.  No one is going without so you could spend the money and now its home with you you have cleared a space to display him and he's still making you smile.  Same with your plates. To me that sounds EXACTLY why you are on this journey. Not every 'want' is tainted or 'bad', we are all allowed to go beyond 'needs' as long as its not consistently depriving the real needs of your life. 

Enjoy.

Daisy xxx

Thank you so much. 

grandmanerd

Okay a quick trawl through lists made on other days has netted 2 lipsticks - used them whilst I was ill, nearly gone but found one was making my lips dry at times so have switched to a kinder one and these are going in the bin as I'm bothered by the possibility of re-infecting myself. remembered to take the eardrops bottle downstairs and refill it (just with plain olive oil), took a fresh eyedrops out of the drawer, old one binned as I don't know how long it's been open (probably longer than 30 days). 9 various rubbish/ recycling  taken out and bins put out for collection and returned. 5 trees cut down (man at furniture shop has cut down his which are the ones which have spawned all the others - they were taller than the 3 storey + basement (ground slopes at the back so the 'basement' layer is partly above ground) shop and he must have realised how much damage they could cause.

Just the 2 left in next door's yard and (hinting to DS3 that it's a 'tall boy' job). They need to be cut off where the remaining branches start (I've cut the ones I could reach). If I cut from the bottom they could break a window or do other damage. If he will cut the top half off then the bottom half can be cut and that will fall within the yard. I hate to cut trees but these are a nuisance. The bricklayer came round today and my back wall needs to come down. The 2 biggest ones next door (the ones which have brought their wall down) have also destabilised mine. I'm reconciled to this - it means I get what I want. I was prepared to go along with what was simplest and easiest - repairing the corner of my wall nearest to next door and having a new gate and a smaller fence panel but if it's got to come down then I'll have it rebuilt as a small wall with strong trellis type panels on top - my garden will get lots of light (it's safer too - a solid wall or fence will take the full force of a strong wind and can easily be damaged or slip out. You also get a cold spot at the bottom of the wall. If a trellis type fence is put up the wind's force is divided by all the small holes. 

DS3 wants to knock (or push) the wall down (grandmanerd does happy dance - DS3 is volunteering for work, asking to be allowed to do it and Mr Builder says it will reduce the cost if we do that bit ourselves). Use ups are going well - had a final push on a suncream today, twisted the top off and ran my finger around the neck and 'shoulders of the bottle and a couple more ready to go (+ 2 or 3 antiseptic creams as well). Two items from mum's and my ex's stash have been repurposed and all their dressing pads are now gone. I also asked DS3 to pass me some of the clean dry plates for putting away (he was by the sink and I was by the cupboard). He asked how many I could do and I said only one or two at a time (arthritis in shoulder) and he said he'd do them and stacked the whole pile.

I think that's 933/ 2022. Will do more if I can (have rubbish and various categories of recycling bags started) but otherwise will go to sleep early and wake refreshed and ready for the next round tomorrow. Mr Builder had to go and tackle an early leak first thing, so it was getting on when he started my fence posts and Mrs Builder's son wasn't around to help with the gate. The weather was dreadful (I told him Mrs Builder wouldn't be happy if he got electrocuted) so the gate will be done tomorrow and hopefully I'll get an estimate for the wall too.