2022 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

oceanspirit

nannywindow said:

Hello all, I've finally come out of the TLC carriage. I admitted myself after I was overwhelmed with a fit of the doldrums and got my knickers in a twist about xmas as I hadn't sorted anything. Then was laid low by the covid jab, the double one really upset me, plus I think I've put on lbs sitting around feeling sorry for myself and snacking. Even the ones in the TLC carriage put my weight on, that's my story and I'm sticking to it 🤣

EnergyShifter said:

Had my day off today.  Did some impromptu decluttering and cleaning this morning - started as a result of not being able to find one of my hearing aids - moved the bed to see if it had fallen under - no hearing aid but lots of dust so washed the floor and ended up reconfiguring my bedroom - much more roomy now.  Turns out the hearing aid was in my ear all along

nannywindow, I think we all need a few extra lbs to keep us warm this winter.

EnergyShifter, I put on my reading glasses the other day only to find in the process that I already had a pair on.  OH has been laughing about it ever since.  I am16 years younger than him so he’s pleased I am catching him up in the dottiness stakes.

More papers and photos sorted out this week.  Also bought much needed new bedding, a Hoover battery, curtain tie backs, cooker hood degreaser, glass cleaner for wood burner, a new bath mat and am now nursing an empty bank account. All things needed though - I know we could have used other things for the cleaning but wanted to make it easier for DSis as I don’t want to put her off helping.  A couple of frogs munched.  DSis had a bit of a sort out in the garden as the weather was drier than has been.  She will clean indoors and put decs up this week.

Mentally I am feeling so much better as my home is nicer to be in.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that DSis will be happy to continue to help as there is no way I could have managed everything that she has done and there is still a long way to go.  She says it is helping her to focus more with her own home too so it’s a win win.

OH’s house sale chain has broken however his buyers are still keen - they need to find a new buyer for theirs.  We have lost the one we were buying.  It wasn’t perfect - one that was better for us went to a higher bidder so it was our second choice and we’re not upset about it.  He will continue with trying to sell and I will continue to get my place sorted out.  We won’t look for anything else until OH’s place is sold as he can move in here in the short term.  That will give us time to find the perfect place for us.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, well another few weeks since I posted and once again I can't remember everything that I have been up to . I filled the green waste bin ready for the last collection of the year, there is more to do in the garden but I will have to take it to the tip now. I am a bit miffed about that when I think of it as we now have to pay for the green waste bin to be collected I think it should be collected all year, even if the frequency is reduced. I might email the council about that. On the plus side having to pay for the service has motivated me to make sure it is full for every collection . 
I have met up with ex colleagues for a lovely late afternoon / evening and had a good catch up. A couple of people couldn't make it so hoping to catch them before Christmas for a coffee. 
OH and I had a bit of a set to about the need to declutter and I explained I was really fed up with the kitchen and having to repeatedly clear it of rubbish along with the top of the meter cupboard just inside the front door which is continually covered with OHs unsorted post and other detritus dumped there. I also admitted to being a bit lax with some things so we have agreed to both try a bit harder to sort some things out having said that the kitchen is once again a mess with the sink full of washing up waiting for OH.
I have had a clear out and clean of the fridge and made a batch of veg bottom stew along with some frozen veg, very tasty and 4 portions in the freezer. I was lucky enough to get a bag of bramleys on our local 0li0 and have processed them into apple crumble, 3 x 2 portions in the freezer for us and a large single portion for a friend. I have been contacted this morning by the gifter to say there is another bag for me and I will collect and process them for our freezer and a couple of portions for lovely neighbour and friend, I commented to the gifter that she must have a very prolific tree in her garden as most people I know with apple trees have had a very poor year for fruit this year.
I have also grabbed a too good to go box which has everthing to make a batch of ratatoille except courgettes which I have in the freezer so that will be done today
I have also spent quite a bit of time on union stuff but have been quite good in that I refused to take on a huge task that would have taken a few weeks to sort out. I have had a few conversations with my ex line manager who has been very badly treated and has actually decided to seek and get a new job which he has done so I am keeping my fingers crossed for him. He did confide in me that the Head had said this wouldn't have happened if I had been there as I would have sorted it out!  Honestly if the Head can see the problem why doesn't he sort it! Enough, I will have to try to think of a way to help that won't be too difficult or time consuming hmmm.
On the Christmas front I have all but 2 presents sorted though they do need to be wrapped and I haven't started the cards yet though I have got the cards. The 2 presents I still need will be via the internet so not too difficult, I just need to press the buy button
I have booked a hawk walk for April next year, a gift token waiting to be used , as it is in Derbyshire it will involve a night away which I am really looking forward to. 
My sister is off to visit my niece in Bequia this week and as it is my bil 80th birthday just before Christmas I have decluttered some local currency so they can do something lovely while they are there, a win win as I really had no idea what to get him
Today feels like a good day, I have been very much in the doldrums for a couple of weeks but I am primed for action right now so I am hoping for a productive day
I have been reading along but have been too tired to post so I want to say well done to everyone who has done so well on this journey. I especially want to say a big hurray @roundtuit who really cheers me up with her posts. Hugs to everyone who wants them and thank you all for being so lovely, it cheers me no end to know you are all here helping each other in what are sometimes very difficult days.
Sorry for the long post
Take care everyone

grandmanerd

Just a quick update - I'd love to stay on here for hours but presents to wrap etc. My trek to the hospital went well - I went all across our borough and then into Lancashire, all through the posh bits of Wigan (once you're north of the town centre it gets increasingly posh - Orrell is famous for it's Rugby Union team - and finally rural) and then over the border into Lancashire (I'm still a Lancastrian, I haven't moved from the town where I was born but we're Greater Manchester for administrative purposes). Got to see lots of places I used to walk to/ did voluntary work at and lots of memories (the field where the elephants played, the house with the goat and the one with geese) as well as Tudor houses, Swans on a lake, lovely views of Rivington, lots of autumn colour and just to add an authentic touch - a gently steaming muck pile in the middle of a field. Took 2 books with me and never read a page.

Hospital was busy but efficient. Seventeen consultants/ surgeons on duty and half a dozen HCA's and four nurses collecting people and directing them onwards (one long corridor with many rooms off and a repurposed bit with 5 more consulting rooms). saw the surgeon who did my right hip replacement (we're both very happy with it). I don't need an operation. My left kneecap shops signs of wear and tear but the long bones are fine. The hip pain is tissue damage rather than more bone loss (because of where I'm getting the pain) so they'll arrange for me to have an ultrasound (they may be able to give me cortisone injections at the same time - not a long term solution but can help) and then work from there. It sounds like this is something I could work on - physio. The op would have been a known option but I'm glad to skip the 3 months of forbidden movements and 2 - 3 years for various functions to be possible (getting down on the floor and back up again took the longest time).

I'd picked up food at the bus station newsagent's (my bus came in at stand C, the hospital bus left from stand U) and they also had my puzzle book which was on my list (my local stockist closed last weekend). I took drinks and a couple of salads but couldn't find the bamboo fork I'd knew I'd packed so the extra supplies were useful. I spent £8 at the 'friends' shop and handed over my bag of charity donation coins to the white ribbon appeal (raising awareness of abuse of the elderly, self-neglect and creating safe communities). They also had a really pretty rainbow zebra crossing as part of their LBGTQ awareness - it made me smile. the had an appeal for presents for children in care but that needed actual presents (I'd have taken something with me if I'd known).

Part of Wigan town centre is being rebuilt, I'd got my puzzle book and decided not to venture outside the bus station but just catch my next bus home. There were already two pushchairs on board (one a twin) so I folded up the walker and put it on the luggage rack (glad it was a bus  that had one). Another lady asked if she could get on if she folded her pushchair up and one of the other mothers found room to squeeze it in so it didn't fall over (I'd told her she could put it on top of my walker but she was a small lady and the pushchair looked heavy). The babies were very entertaining.

I stayed on the bus as far as the bus station, the man at the mobility shop said one of the market traders sold radar keys. Unfortunately that stall was closed yesterday and today. However I did get my face 'threaded' which has been on the list for a while, bought an extra pack of charity Christmas cards and found out where my hairdresser has relocated to. There were 2 people having haircuts, another waiting on the couch and another lady hovering by the reception desk so will leave that for another quieter time.

Got home, sat down to eat and then forced myself outside. Working very very slowly I've moved the last of the loose bricks (the ones left are in a chunk with the heavy top stones which were once either side of the gate, moved the bins to the end of the backs (and a water butt which came from mum's and never made it inside the yard - it has tools and things packed inside). DS3 took out another chunk of wall. However the wall currently has a 3' spur at the top - 3 layers of bricks and a layer of capping stones. This is the repair I did over 20 years ago and so far it ain't budging. I've suggested DS3 hits it from above (as there's a 5' gap with taken out bricks below it) but only a small chunk came off.

I need to get outside and move all the loose bricks DS3 has taken out so he has room to get at the remaining wall (and room to jump out of the way when gravity finally defeats my repair) and I need to work on the remaining soil and roots (remains of a small raised bed behind the wall). The bin men did not take my green bin - I did put a little bit of ivy in that I'd taken down (it was six inches wide, about 3 ' long and was twisted as well - where the ivy had grown out of the garden, through the coal hole and onto the top of the wall) so in the 2 weeks before the next collection I'll be filling my green bin and all the neighbours bins. I already have a chimney shaped compost bin with all the felled branches (all the bits I could take off with secateurs have been done). However I can deal with that next week once the builder has started - for now I'll get them out and leave them at the end of the backs (placing them across two bins is a good height for sawing them when I'm standing up - I do most of the garden painting like this too).

I'll do those 'needs' (loose bricks, soil and tree roots) when I get back today (and probably into tomorrow).  DS3 and Beloved are meeting a friend of hers in Manchester to do 'bridesmaid shopping' (friend is getting married, Beloved is to be a bridesmaid and she won't leave the house without DS3 - he's not sure if he's also paying for bridesmaid stuff) so he won't be working on the wall today. Friend is also staying over so Beloved has been tidying.

Mum's lodger has texted me to say he'll be round with the rent around 11 am so I'll aim to be downstairs by then (until I have filled in the forms to change the deeds, he's still mum's lodger and he's living in 'my grandma's house' even though she died 43 years ago). Going for lunch with grandbaby, her mum and DS2. I vetoed DS2's first suggestion - it's  on the 'Sports Village' and although the first scheduled match is on Wednesday (Manchester United Women's team and their Under-19s have it as their home ground  as well as our rugby team) all the children's amateur rugby league teams will be playing today, not to mention all the Morries shoppers and gym/ swimming pool member (and junior classes) and although it's quite near to mum's on foot or by bus, cars are only allowed to go in and out along the bypass so they exit near the East Lancs road or onto the horrible roundabout (Sainsbugs, Arseda, Aldee, B'n'M, M'n'S and many large retail outfits are on the other side of the bypass -it uses the old railway line).

The pub we're hoping to eat at (not booked but peak time is around 5 pm so we should get in by going early) is the sort that has a pile of pennies for charity so I've added another pile of pennies to my bag. In between morning pills, shower, eating I'm tidying/ sorting quite efficiently (says me). I've cleared one smallish but very crowded patch of floor (knew there was some packaging for delicate stuff down there). One small bin bag has been thrown down, the large one is nearly full (cans and paper went down yesterday, the empty bags are at the bottom of the stairs but I don't want to shuffle back and forth across the bed so I've armed myself with several paper carrier bags and labelled them with a sharpie. All the papers from yesterday - appointment letter, Salford letter as they have a CPAP attachment for other hospitals to borrow when I'm being anaesthetised, prescription pills list, bus timetable) have gone back in the holding file along with an assortment that were beside the bed (and a couple that were at the end of the bed when I pulled the paper bags up).

Will continue to work steadily (I'm annoyed with myself because I had everything to hand weeks ago but one urgent thing after another has prevented my completing it - may need to buy gift bags). I have the tape, the small scissors, padding/ tissue for delicate items, most of the presents and I got as far as alongside the bed as finding the wrapping paper, just a few more presents to reach (in a box in the corner of the room). Will finish getting dressed and then continue. We're probably on DS2 time which means taht although they should probably be leaving home around noon and picking me up before 1 pm, I could easily have until 2 pm to do this. Might as well set aside presents for other people, stuff for the food bank and book donations at the same time. Will be back with number later - I'm on my second page of things done.

roundtuit

Morning all xx 

Awww @Liverpool_Anne that's so kind of you to say that I cheer you up with my posts. And I'll take a hug, thank you. Plus here's one for you 🤗 xx

@Mrs_Salad_Dodger you got me thinking about the floor in the RoD - availability thereof. 🤔 There is a little more floor but there's mostly a lot more air above floor level as the bags were stacked about chest high. 😳.  I've brought down a bag this morning and that has created floor space....so I'm now on the bags that will create floor space. Does that make any sense? 

***Decluttering List Alert***
As mentioned above I have retrieved another bin bag from RoD. I do not know what delights are within....but there is a robot's head poking out of the top. If I remember correctly he was/is called Zadok. (I thought that was a priest in the Bible? 🤔). Anyways I hereby give advance warning that I'll be listing again in the near future....just need to declutter this headache first.

Love to all
Rxx

GrannyKate

House full of children so not a lot will get done.  I've decided to turn the dehumidifier off as all it seems to be doing is circulating smelly air further afield. They've not been to check it at all this week - totally fed up.  

On a positive note I won £25 on premium bond - second time this year after 50 years with nothing.  I don't have a lot of bonds compared to most winners.  This is my funeral fund rather than buy one of those schemes.  Trying to get it up to £5000 so will probably buy more with the £25. I have been doing the Prolific academic surveys more for the last 5 weeks and I have earned £90 in cash.  

DS2 decided to clean out new work van with assistance from a small person.

1286-1291 Sorted through sewing box and I have 6 bags/tins of stuff for my DGD2 who is into sewing and trying to earn some money 
1292 Fleece to CS bag - a really nice one of late DHs but far too big and no-one else wants it
1293 Waterproof jacket as above
1294 Rotten wooden shelves from airing cupboard going to tip
1295 General Tat from sewing box to bin
1296-1297 2 large bags of rubbish from work van
1298 Money found in van by DGS4 - he was very impressed and we've washed it to go in his pocket money jar (about £1.50)
1299 Quiz done and paper recycled
1300 Ebay item posted
1301- Birthday and more Christmas cards posted

bit_by_bit

Glad you are feeling better @Fizz2015 Its very frustrating when we are slowed down by being under the weather.

Any decluttering is better than no decluttering @TC77. I never do what I want to fit in over the year but at least having a target means something gets done.

Thankyou @Mrs_Salad_Dodger vulpix is offline at the moment but sends her best wishes. She is busy as ever. I bought some stuff for redistribution from her house. Will list as they go.

I had a lovely visist with vulpix yesterday. We went to a posh craft fair and Ibought a load of stuff for various friends so very happy as it is going out very quickly.

Nothing else to report today as going to the CS for my shift then to a friends for out pre Christmas meet up. 5 presents will be going out.

Have a good day all. 

D123456789

There has been nearly 1000 posts since I last checked in, must be loads of decluttering going on 🤩

I have just been through LO craft stuff and also got rid of a load of empty boxes. I think Santa might get her a pony ride this year as she hasn’t asked for any toys.  She loves dressing up so might get her some Disney character outfits if I can find some. 

I’ve also listed some of my clothes on flea bay so will wait and see if they sell. LO clothes she has finished with will go to the charity shop I think as I have quite a few of her books to take there. It is a great charity shop for kids books so I use it like a library! Take 1 lot back and buy some more. They usually look like new and are 3 for a £1.  Amazing…

take care everyone. 😊

roundtuit

1 robot with corroded battery compartment- bin
4 batteries- recycled
1 robot with fallen off arm - bin
4 batteries- recycled

Contents of binbag removed:
1 binbag binned

1 headache being very stubborn and refusing to be decluttered 🤕 so I'm heading back to TLC carriage for a snooze.

Rxx

grandmanerd

I'm back from my meal (lovely and lovely presents - I've only opened the one that's a photo of my grand-daughter. One of them is the thing I asked for (a garden bag with lots of pockets for my tools and) and the other one is  a surprise but it's very delicate. The morning got away from me. I was nearly ready but took my glasses off to comb my hair and then couldn't find them. Felt like crying but just shouted for help and Beloved came and saw them at once. I had checked my bag because I had my distance ones with me yesterday but I'd already emptied it out and would have settled for the ones that are ready to be donated. 

By this time DS3 was yelling for me as mum's lodger was here, so hastily pulled on my dress and went downstairs. Receipted his rent book. DS3 and Beloved passed through. Warned the lodger that I'm trying to get my brother to take him on - he didn't want the responsibility (lodger has been in grandma's house for over 28 years and none of us want to chuck him out) but he needs to do something with his share of mum's estate to give him an income. All investments are risky but renting a house to a long standing tenant is about the safest option (let's hope I can persuade him to see sense, otherwise we'll have to share the tenant and brother isn't keen on that either).

Went to let lodger out and DS3 had locked the door behind him and my keys were upstairs. decided to go out the back way - fairies have left 6 bin bag in my kitchen (3 rubbish, 3 recycling) so lodger helped me take those.  As we crossed the kitchen there was a knock at thee front door so I just shouted and then went around the houses to the front. Post woman was standing by her van so I shouted and waved and asked if she had parcels for me. 

Came back around and upstairs to check for messages only to find that today we are on supercharged DS2 time - they were on their way and had booked the meal for 12.15 pm ulp. Gathered up 2 bags of presents, books, wrapping paper, basket to hjold the things for baby, the wrapping paper, scissors and tape, box of cards, drinks and my laptop (had a vague idea I might be able to sit down for 5 minutes). Gave up on fetching my clean leggings (my dress was below knee length and the bit of leg that showed between my hem and my boots would be under the table most of the time. Put my jacket and handbag on, got all the stuff downstairs (remembered something half way downstairs and didn't have the energy to go back).

Checked the time and started down the yard (my key is somewhere on the bedside table - it came off the ring). decided the 3 wheel  walker would do for ferrying my bags round to the front of the house and for sitting on and having a drink whilst waiting for them to arrive (looking at any black or dark cars that came along). They arrived at 5 past, drinks can and walker were left in front of the house (unfortunately it didn't get stolen). Clear run to the pub, all the traffic was going the other way (mostly to either side of the bypass and multiple retail opportunities. 

I took both my bags inside and handed them over whilst we waited for the food to  arrive. Book baby should have had last month - Peepo, books for this month - small board book editions of the first Spot book and a new to me one and book to read every day this month - Clement Moore's 'Twas the night', I managed to get the board book version of the same one my boys had. The thing I'd forgotten was her 'heritage books' for Christmas. Three books from the little people, big ideas series (Marie Curie, Ada Lovelace and Amelia Earhart). They're really intended for 8 years upwards so it's something to put away for her (heritage) really, but I'm going to add one or two each birthday and Christmas.

The toys all fit in a little round basket and I've included some duplo bricks (large enough that she won't be able to get the whole thing in her mouth and a selection of different colours), a mammoth made of rubber which is both a teething toy and a bath toy, a fair trade crocheted pear with a bell inside and another wooden teether (FSC wood etc) a ring with a number of other rings intertwined. There were a couple more things but they were in the box in the far corner of the room, so she can have those another time. I have the full duplo farm set for when she's older, these are just for starting to explore the world around her (rrp is £60, I paid £1 at one of my favourite cs).

I remembered to ask about probate, Inland Revenue signed off on it straight away but DWP is still investigating if the boy's father was overpaid and how much they want to reclaim so it's looking like February / March but they will buy me heavy duty shelves to store the records if I want and will pay for computer software to help with the cataloguing (they're thinking of doing the same with the cameras infesting their conservatory). I also remembered to ask if DS2 still wanted to look through mum's photos again - yes and if he would like the two photos I've had on my wall for many years. One is a hand coloured black and white wedding photo of my grandparents and the other a similar photo of my mother aged about 4 yo. Another yes (I'm ready to pass them on). We found them after grandma died, both had been cut out very roughly (we suspect grandma's evil sister had taken the frames and discarded the photos after their parents died and grandma had found them subsequently).

Well I really don't feel like going outside (I will have to go and empty the bin bags into the bins). Will stay here, rest and continue with the tidying and make a fresh start on the bricks and soil tomorrow - the 3 wheeled walker will do for transporting bricks. They're only moving from one side of the backs (our wall) to be stacked neatly by the other side (car park wall). Moving them on the walker will be quicker and less tiring. May be back later with figures for today and updating of numbers.

TC77

Decorator finished, and I've been cleaning alot, I have an almost flat lampshade whose surface was coated in dust - very high up so not visible, and clean hanging rails taken down and all open shelves, and jars on them... seems mammoth to me or at least more focused than for ages, going through kitchen drawers and supplies, hoovering, and put half packs together and getting packaging out. My boxes on shelves - some were empty so decided to have a box of summer things to free up space in drawers and cupboards, - freezer packs, lolly sticks and sun cream - we will see how it goes. Slow progress but feels right way. Long time cleaning the kitchen clock which was coated in stuff (above cooker). Can feel myself slowing down and heading for a cuppa and tv !