2022 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

vulpix

O my goodness bit by bit,I hope you haven't gone up to Manchester alone. It's a very fine,difficult line to walk with adults with additional needs living independently. I hope the social work team can be of some real help. Big hugs for you. B and SIL are very lucky to have you in their corner. If there is anything I can do,just ask. xxxxxxxxxxxx

 Thank you queen jess and thriftyscotslass  for taking the time and effort in helping with information about self publishing. I will investigate. The Canadian academy sounds interesting. DS wrote a couple of novels whilst he lived in Banff. One a very different in style first nation fable and another when he must have been feeling home sick about some old school friends returning home for a friends funeral. To me it is very obviously where we live now,but it could be any small town in England.

 Hope you and all poorly people feel better soon wednesday 2000. I thought I felt better today but the sore throat has come back as it has got dark.

 off loaded another small rug and a huge picture frame onto DS. He also took a picture and a poster of his which we found at my Mum's. He has gone to Holmfirth to meet up with an old school friend. Night off from activities for us,aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

 Vx

tiddles

Yay! I have reached my target of 2022 items decluttered this year! 

Today I got rid of 18 bundles of old study notes (10 sheets of paper per bundle).
Thank you everyone for inspiring me to keep going! 

EnergyShifter

EnergyShifter said:

1111.  Leftover Xmas Cards 
1112 & 3 - 2 x storage  boxes
1114 & 5. 2x returns
1116. Knitted another teddy
1117. Gifts to cousins who visited
1118-1120 - 3 x crystals to Niece

Was hoping to go to Rochester today but horrible weather and rail replacement adding 30 mins to the journey made me think again.  I started journaling and spent some time reading through my journal since September and it lifted my spirits to see how much things have improved.  Also there were some helpful insights which I had managed to forget almost as soon as I had them !  I'll try to retain them a bit longer this time. 

After that I was in just the right mood for decluttering so had a couple of sessions punctuated by a trip to the High St where I used up my TK Maxx voucher from DS to buy a beautiful cashmere wrap / scarf.  It's the kind of thing that I will definitely use a lot but would normally think of as too extravagant to buy for myself - so the perfect use for a gift voucher. 

Went up in the loft for the first time since eye surgery & noticed there is light mildew on the beams - I'm wondering if it’s because I've not had the heating on so much this Winter?  I will investigate it after the Holidays. I also need to make a start on my accounts / Tax return.  But those are frogs to be dealt with in 2023 !  

1121. fixed dropped light pod
1122 & 3 - touched up paintwork on floor and cabinet
1124. Parcels to neighbour (was given a box of chocs as a thank you!)
1125 & 4 - 2 x ornaments
1125. pill box
1126. Cat toy
1127. Reed diffuser (Xmas gift but it triggers my allergies)
1228. Sweatshirt
1129. Christmas cushion -
1130-5. 6 x Christmas decs (all stored in loft to donate in Nov - reminder in calendar
1136. Scarf
1137 & 8.  Replaced knobs on wardrobe & small chest of drawers
1139. Re-organised smaller cupboard under the stairs - stuff shifted to garden shed
1140. Paid in cheque - gift from Auntie
1141. Broken brooch
1142. Box of Baubles
1143 & 4. 2 x cloth masks
1145. Hand Santising wipes
1146. Board
1147. Storage Bag
1148. Hung print in bedroom
1149-51 - 3 x old tea-towels
1152. old spatula

So nice to hear of other's successes!  🤩
Bit-by-Bit - what a difficult situation - sending good wishes.

TC77

So much still going on. Can't remember if I've said although I stopped counting reckon with frogs to have got to my target, may be wishful thinking.
Lampshade out (lamp will go but needs to go to electrical place), some paper, worked today and had 450 emails in my drafts - some just seem to appear, others perhaps should have gone, got it down below 50 and will check if action is needed. 
Good negotiation with broadband supplier, plumber tightened tap, sorted savings (moved to spending pot), some tidying up including cat supplies, started using next year's planner. 
Decided again NYE party abit away at friends, so decided to go for a drink with a few friends but all pubs booked so they are coming round to me !! have hoovered the stairs so far, good friends and they will bring supplies so apart from moving things from room to room and tidying little to do. Good to be entertaining and hopefully will motivate me to streamline (someone picked this as their 2023 word) the home, and make it friend ready Getting over my shocker of a  cold. Also deleted some photos. Hugs and healing vibes to those unwell or run down.
@MrsSD such a good idea to bundle DDs on to the train, and mentally I am doing so and being gently and more thoughtful than I might normally!
looking forward to next year and seeing old and new faces.

Fizz2015

Evening All, slightly later than usual for me. Bags are packed for holiday (just about), first holiday abroad in 4 years and just didn't know what to pack. Last few bits to pack in the morning, early start as need to leave for airport by 9am latest. 

Whilst deciding what to pack made me realise I have far too much stuff shoved in the wardrobe and drawers. Next year I need to streamline and organise things. Have lost a pair of my favourite earrings and not in any of the usual spots. 😒 Will have a proper look next year and keep everything crossed they turn up.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a peaceful New year and here's to 2023. See you all on the new thread. Fizz x

florianatwobob

Had a bit of a sort of the bedroom today. Some bits leaving the building in the new year. Nothing major although I’m feeling the urge to purge (it often comes upon me around New Year). 

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 

Friday was mostly a wet day. DH did go out for his bus, tube & overground challenge & was out for about 5 hours - problems on DLR. He did manage about 40 stations. I am 2/3rds of the way through knitting another beanie. Dinner was mushroom risotto made from scratch with plenty lo for risotto cakes Saturday night. Wudupa.

2252 - 2257 Kitchen recycling, glass jar, plastic cartons, cardboard box, drinks cans, cardboard packaging - recycled 
2258 - 2259 Kitchen & lr detritus binned

Perhaps you can compete with MrV now, vulpix 😉 I trust you resisted the temptation to obtain more books 🤞

Great work Deni_debt-free_dreamer 👏 Nice to see that you have visited family & internet family over the festive period 😊

Sounds like you have been very busy bit_by_bit 👏 & you were looking forward to a free day 😉 What a nightmare for BiL 😔😡 & so sorry that it falls to you to sort everything out 😔 Hopefully social services will step up & offer practical assistance 🤞Please stay safe on your long drive 🙏

Useful information QueenJess 👏

Sorry to hear that DH is unwell, thriftyscotslass 🙁 More useful information for vulpix 👏

Great decluttering Wednesday2000 👏 Sorry to hear about the upset stomach but hopefully your TLC will mean that you can celebrate NYE in the style you wish 🤞😊

Excellent decluttering mhagster 👏 One medal 🏅 on its way for taking so much ‘stuff’ to the Tip

What a lovely supportive post vulpix ☺️

Congratulations on reaching your 2022 decluttering target, tiddles 👏🥳 Four Gold Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ are on their way 🙂

EnergyShifter, Excellent use of the time saved by remaining indoors 👏 Sounds like you have journaled some great insights which will prove useful for your 2023 decluttering journey 😊 Excellent decluttering 👏

Excellent decluttering TC77 & I agree that you have almost certainly hit your decluttering target 👏 One Gold Star ⭐️ on its way 🙂 Looking forward to meeting DDs on the 2023 EDT 😉

Fizz2015, every good wish coming your way for a marvellous holiday 😊 Sunshine, good food, lovely location 🤞

Love it florianatwobob “the urge to purge” 👏😊

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

I AM A STAR 🌟 & A NATIONAL TREASURE 😉

Decluttering Target: 2259/2022

2022 - 1p Savings Challenge: Running Total £679.22

bit_by_bit

Thankyou @vulpix . Things weren't as bad as we thought. The person who had rang them had cleared up some plus she had ovrestated the damage. They had not had all their crockery broken and only the removable thermostat had come off the wall. Not the electrics 'ripped out'. Even the food was ok. SiL cleared the bathroom as the wrecker had cut off all their hair in there. 

Congrats @tiddles Its a great feeling to achieve target.

Thankyou @EnergyShifter. Not as bad a first thought but some decisions about moving them nearer to us need to be taken.

Happy holidays @Fizz2015 I hope your earrings turn up. See you in the 2023 thread 

Thankyou MrsSD 

So as the last hours of the year approaches I hope we have got the drama out of the way and 2023 will be calmer.

I suspect not. BiL & SiL both have a degree of learning disability. BiL is 65 and SiL 58. MiL (80y/o in March) moved to be near us to get away from them and has been adamant she doesn't want them to move to Derby. However there are no family members who are willing to keep an eye on them or support them on either side of the family in Manchester. I have enough on my plate but realise that they cannot easily be managed from afar.
It has occured to us that when either one of them dies that the other will definitely have to move down anyway. Neither can completely manage alone. It has worked so far because they are a couple.
I also realised today that SiL is totally missing out on the grandparent experience and I feel very bad for her.
The situation has changed in that MiL rarely sees SiL now she can't drive up there but she doesn't want the responsibility of them making any demands on her.
DiL has asked why they down but really none of the DS's are able to take much responsibitlity and most don't want to get involved in their lives. Its a tough call. 
Healthwise they are both unwell, We think BiL has dementia symptoms but are waiting for confirmation of the results of a brain scan.
They have a social worker they haven't seen in a year.
If they move closer we will move them away from the problems they are having now but by the time they have been here for a year they will have new problems as they seem to attract them.  They have to move every 5 years or so because of it and we are just about bang on time. They are willing to move by the way. It will be their choice.
We won't have to deal with things from a distance but will have to defend them from DS2 who will turn up either wanting money or food or just drunk out of the blue. We willl see them more often and more of out time and energy will be taken. BiL is helpful but SiL isn't and gets waited on by her husband and others. I will expect both their help with her mum and dad. E.g. cleaning 

There is more but It may not be so bad. It helps to write it out as this will be another responsibilty which which will weigh on us more as time goes by.

Today is New Years Eve and I am at the CS this afternoon. It will be a short shift.

We are having a visit from DS3 and his partner and kids. Their baby GS4 is one year old today. 

We are celebrating at the parents in law and SiL. Yesterday BiL stayed in Manchester and SiL came back with me. Parents in Law usually come to us but they are getting older so we decided that we can just walk home and not to make them go out into  the dark at midnight.

I am having a nice quiet norning but am going to go and weed out my wool supply. I am encouraging SiL to knit scarves for refugees for this and next year as they will be in and outs for me but something useful for her to do. Oh, and my first bag will be leaving on New Years day 

Hugs to all who need them. Have a lovely evening or a good sleep depending if your are celebrating.

roundtuit

Accumulation of cardboard and soft drinks cans recycled. That usually happens daily but I got a bit sidetracked by Christmas and my return to work. I can now see my draining board again. 😊

P & S  called for coffee and left with a box of donut bath fizzers and an empty tin with a picture of a stag on it. I knew P wouldn't say no....he can Justin all he likes. He doesn't live here 🤣

There's an empty chocolate box and an empty biscuit tin in LR. I'll recycle them but first I must renew my TV licence before I forget.

Rxx

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

I woke up with a start (after a 7 hour sleep 😯) to be advised that the recycling wagon had been. Jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes, dashed downstairs, scooped up the envelopes containing the Christmas boxes & dashed outside …… spotted the recycling chaps & chased them to hand over the envelopes. They were rather surprised to see a large, aged female puffing & panting &  ‘attempting to run’ to catch them so did actually stop & wait 😂 Envelopes handed over to happy chaps & then a slow, very slow amble back home in the drizzle. I am now satisfied that all Christmas Boxes have been handed out but rather ashamed that I have got so overweight & unfit that a 25 yard ‘jog’ has taken 25 minutes to recover from 😔 🙁
So a relatively good start to Saturday even though it is dark, overcast & rather damp. Minimal plans for today. DH will be visiting his niece M in hospital & I will be, finally 😉, sitting down & concentrating on properly planning *next year’s decluttering, self improvement etc* as well as tying off the 2022 decluttering thread. 

*..* This requires me to use the S.M.A.R.T. method - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant & Time Bound - incorporating other nuggets of information especially “‘Procrastination is the thief of time” I have lots of jumbled thoughts & ideas from various places so I need to coalesce them into a realistic whole.

Dh & I are currently having a bowl of the hm soup which has depth of flavour (finally) & warmth 🥳

Will be back later.

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

I AM A STAR 🌟 & A NATIONAL TREASURE 😉

Decluttering Target: 2259/2022

2022 - 1p Savings Challenge: Running Total £679.22